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ORDERLY BOOK 




Major William Heth 



Third Virginia Regiment, 



NIAY 15— JULY 1, 



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INTRODUCTION. 



Paens to the virtue, valor and worth of the impressive " Scotch- 
Irish race " increase in volume as the years pass and orators and 
books multiply. The generic designation is made more and 
more comprehensive in its representation. 

William Heth, to whose providence posterity is indebted for 
the accompanying memorial of the Revolution/ was truly an ex- 
ample of the admired component strain. 



' It was presented to the Virginia Historical Society in September, 
i88r, by the late Rev. Philip Slaughter, D. D., who inscribed upon its 
cover: " Found among the papers of my father, Captain Philip Slaughter, 
the comrade in-arms of Major Heth in the American Revolution." 

The Slaughter family can be traced back in England to 1485, when 
the name was spelled Schlostre. John Slaughter was a grantee of land 
in eastern Virginia as early as iSy-,. In 1731, Robert and Francis 
Slaughter were chosen as the first church wardens of St- Mark's parish, 
Culpeper county. Robert Slaughter married a daughter of Cadwalader 
Jones, of Essex county, and had issue seven sons, of whom the fifth, 
James, " commanded a regiment at the battle of Great Bridge " in 1775, 
the first engagement of the Revolution in Virginia. He married Susan, 
daughter of Major Philip Clayton, and the eldest of their issue was 
Philip Slaughter, born December 4, 1758 ; died 1849 ; entered Captain 
John Jameson's company of minute men from Culpeper county in 1775, 
and marched with it to Williamsburg to reclaim the powder seized by 
Lord Dunmore. 

Having been discharged from military service, Philip Slaughter re- 
entered school, but in the spring of 1776, he re-enlisted in Colonel John 
Jameson's troop of cavalry for a term of three years. 

Before it marched, however, he was appointed by the Committee of 
Safety of Culpeper county a lieutenant in Captain Gabriel Long's com- 
pany of riflemen, which joined the army under General Washington in 
New York. In 1777 this company was attached to the Eleventh Vir- 



320 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

His father, John Heth, is said to have emij^rated from the 
North of Ireland some time during the earlier half of the eigh- 
teenth centrury. He settled first in Pennsylvania, and married 
there Mary Mackey,^ of Scotch parentage. Here,^ it is pre- 
sumed, William, the eldest of a somewhat noted family of twelve 
children — six sons and six daughters — was born July 19, 1750. 
Of his brothers, Henry* and Andrew, served with the rank of 

ginia regiment on Continental Establishment, commanded by the cele- 
brated Daniel Morgan. Lieutenant Slaughter was promoted captain 
in 1778, and served gallantly throughout the war, participating among 
others in the momentous battles of Brandywine, Germantown and 
Monmouth. He was one of those who endured the bitter hardships of 
Valley Forge. His messmates were the two Porterfields, Charles and 
Robert, Lieutenant Johnson, and Captain John Marshall (subsequently 
the Chief Justice). Captain Slaughter kept a diary of his campaigns, 
which was unfortunately lost during the late war. Subsequent to the 
Revolution he held various civil offices, among which was that of High 
Sheriff of Culpeper county. He was twice married, his first wife being a 
daughter of French Strother, and his second a daughter of Colonel 
Thomas Tovvles. The issue by the two marriages was nineteen chil- 
dren — sons and daughters — whose descendants, now numbering several 
hundred, comprehend many of the most estimable family names in the 
State and Union. Slaughter's History of St. Mark's Parish, and 
History of St. George's Parish, second edition, with Memoir of Dr. 
Slaughter by the present writer. 

^ A relative of Dr. Robert Mackey, of Winchester, Virginia, an exe- 
cutor of Colonel Thomas Bryan Martin (the nephew of Lord Fairfax), 
and the maternal great-grandfather of ex-Governor F. W. M. Holliday. 

^Several diaries kept by Colonel William Heth whilst a prisoner in 
Quebec, Canada in 1776, in 178S, and in 1792, are in the possession of 
his great-grandson, Mr. Richard Heth Munford Harrison, Richmond. 
In that of 1792, Colonel Heth gives an account of a visit to his parents, 
whose residence appears then to have been in Ohio county, in what was 
known as the " Pan- Handle," and not far distant from Pittsburgh, Penn- 
sylvania. 

* Henry Heth married in Richmond, November 10, 17S7, Nancy Hare. 
He was United States Commissioner of Loans for the State of Virginia, 
and owned the Blackheath coal pits, in Chesterfield county, which were 
subsequently operated by his son, John Heth, who, in 1837, incorporated 
this property and another adjacent, as the Blackheath and Huguenot 
Coal and Iron Companies, with a directory composed of himself. Dr. 
John Brockenbrough, president of the Virginia Bank, and William H. 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 321 

captain in the Revolution; Jolin, who entered the army in 1777 
at the age of seventeen as a cadet, attained the rank of lieuten- 
ant. He was appointed March 5, 1792, captain Second United 
States infantry, and served under Wayne in his campaign against 
the Northwestern Indians. He was a member of the Virginia 
Society of the Cincinnati, and died November 15, 1810. Andrew 
Heth also served subsequent to the Revolution as a commis- 
sioner for apportioning and surveying the lands granted by Vir- 
ginia to the Illinois regiment. 

Of the sisters of William Heth, Mary became the wife of one 
of his army comrades, Captain Robert Porterfield, subsequently 
general of the State militia, and Anne or Nancy, the wife of 
another. Lieutenant Josiah Tannehill, subsequently colonel of 
militia. 

Of the boyhood and educational advantages of William Heth 
his descendants can lurnish no definite account. His diaries, 
however, recorded in a flowing hand, exhibit refined tastes, acute 
discernment, and ease of diction. He appears to have been a 
lover of music and the drama, and a judicious critic of both. He 
had the faculty of versification, and was skilled in the use of the 
pencil, and notes the copying thus of engravings and the mak- 
ing of portraits of his wife and of several of his female friends. 
His first military service is believed to have been as a lieutenant 

Macfarland, president of the Farmers' Bank, Richmond. In 1839 he 
went to England, and endeavored, unsuccessfully, to capitalize the pro- 
perty at ;^2oo,ooo. Another son, Beverley Heth, operated the Norwood 
coal mine in Powhatan county. He married in 1830, Virginia, daughter 
of Robert Gwathmey, and died December 29, 1842, aged thirty-five 
years, leaving issue. The daughters of Captain Henry Heth married 
respectively Messrs. Temple Gwathmey, Richard H. Cunningham, Archi- 
bald M. Harrison, Miles Cary Selden, Robert Beverley Randolph and 
Thomas Lynch Hamilton, of South Carolina. John Heth was appointed 
a midshipman, United States Navy, but resigned in 1822. He was lat- 
terly known as " Colonel." He married Margaret, daughter of George 
Pickett, Richmond, and aunt of the late George E. Pickett, Major- 
General Confederate States Army. Colonel John Heth died at "Need- 
wood," Chesterfield county, Virginia, April 30, 1842. Among his issue 
were the first wife of the late Colonel Julian Harrison, Confederate States 
Army, and Major-GeneralHarry Heth, Confederate States Army, now of 
Washington, D. C 



322 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

in the company of Daniel Morgan in Lord Dunmore's^ expe- 
dition against the Indians in 1774. The following year, as one of 
the captains of the three companies under Daniel Morgan, he 
participated in the expedition of Arnold against Quebec, which 
began its arduous march through the wilderness of Maine, Sep- 
tember i6th. In the unsuccessful assault of Quebec, December 
31, 1775, he was wounded and taken prisoner, and kept in captivity 
more than six months. His diary of prison life, covering the 
period February 3 — ^July i, 1776, has been preserved. In the 
orderly book, the last entry of which is July i, 1777, there is no 
record of his promotion, but his appointment as lieutenant- 
colonel must have been announced soon thereafter, and it 
dated from April i, 1777.® He was subsequently promoted colo- 
nel, and is stated served under Lincoln in the siege of Charles- 
ton, and to have commanded the regiment to the close of the 
war.' The latter statement is evidently erroneous, as he appears 
on the list of supernumerary officers October, 1781.^ The writer 
is in possession of no further details of the service of Colonel 
Heth in the Revolution. 

In 1787 he was appointed a member of the Council of State of 
Virginia, a position then entailing frequent and exacting service, 
as the body decided upon the claims for service in the Revolu- 
tion ; examined the accounts of various officers of the State, and 
was consulted by the Governor in the appointment of State offi- 
cers. In the act of the Virginia Assembly, passed March i, 
1784, ceding to the United States all the territory held by the 
State " North- Westward of the river Ohio," it was stipulated 
" that the necessary and reasonable expenses incurred by Vir- 
ginia in subduing British posts, maintaining garrisons, etc.," 
were to be reimbursed by the United States government. T- 

*He was allowed by the State of Virginia, May 21, 1783, 7,777% c. 
bounty land for service from June, 1774. Military Certificates, Boo^ 
No. I, p. 458. December 8, 1809. His representatives were allowed 
additionally 688 acres. Book No. 2, p. 926, Virginia Land Registry. 

^ SaffelVs Records of the Revolution, p. 276, and Drake's Biographi- 
cal Dictionary^ so give the date of his appointment as lieutenant- 
colonel. 

'Drake. 

* See Ante, p. 266. 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 323 

January, 1788, Colonel Heth and David Henley were appointed 
commissioners on the part of Virginia to settle with John Pierce, 
commissioner of army accounts of the United States, the claim 
of Virginia. His diary of daily events and experiences in the 
execution of his commission presents a curious and interesting 
mirror of the period. 

On Friday, February 15, 1788, he " left Richmond in the Stage 
without company ^ after seven o'C; drove at the rate of 8 miles 
an hour; breakfasted at Norvell's. Dined at Linch's & reached 
Boiling Green [Caroline] county Yi after 4 o'C." 

Saturday i6th. "Reached Fredericksburg about 11 o'C. No 
company going on to Alex'a, & from Acct's of the badness of 
the road & high waters I concluded to stay until Tuesday's 
Stage when I expect Colo. Henley. — Making my quarters good 
at Gen'l Weedon's where I dined with a British ofificer, Capt. 
Engs, from Canada, making a tour through the Continent & 
who in the course of conversation I found was one of those who 
commanded a guard over us when I was a Prisoner in Quebec 
in 1776. He has a nose of such a size, shape & complexion as 
excited my curiosity as much to touch it as that what possessed 
the bandy legged drummer's wife when the promontory of noses 
was passing through Strasburg." 

Sunday, 17th. "Dined at Gen'l Weedon's in compan'y with 
Colo. Ball, 'Doct. Mortimer and Domine Rian. Spent an hour 
with Colo. Wallace in the forenoon. 

1 8th. Gen'l Weedon, Colo. Ball & Self dined with Doct. Mor- 
timer <& Spent the Evening at Colo. Ball's." 

Tuesday, 19th. " Took leave of Gen'l Weedon & went off in 
Stage alone. Dined at Stafford C. H. ; reached Dumfries about 
7 o'C in the evening. Spent it very agreeably at McDonald's 
tavern in Comp'y with my old friend, Mr. A. Henderson." 

20th. " Left Dumfries alone before 6 o'C — reached Colchester 
between 8 and 9. Understanding that the Patowmack was im- 
passible I sent on my trunk to Alexandria and hiring a horse 
rode down to Colo. Geo. Mason's, where I din'd & spent the 
day. Very politely received & treated." 

2ist. "Took my leave after breakfast of Colo. Mason, who 
sent a servant & pair of horses with me to Mount Vernon, where 



324 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

I was fortunate enough to find the General without any other 
company than Colo. Humphreys who has been here some months. 
Dined & Spent an agreeable day ; find that the General is very 
anxious to see the proposed Federal Constitution adopted by 
all the States. He received letters this Evening fi-om Boston 
and New York informing him that the Convention of Massachu- 
setts, then sitting, would unquestionably accept of it." 

Friday, 22d February. "Took my leave of the Gen'l (and 
family after breakfast) who sent with me a servant & pr. Horses. 
Maj'r Geo. Washington was polite enough to accompany me 
two or three miles; reached Alexandria between ii & 12 o'C. 
expecting to go with the Stage which did not get in from the 
Southward to-day. Dined with Mr. Arthur Lee at our lodgings, 
Mr. Leigh's. Spent the afternoon with Mr. W. Hunter, and an 
hour or two in the evening with my old friend, Doct'r [James] 
Craik." 

23d. "Left Alexandria ab't 12 o'C & crossed at George Town, 
going from the Virg'a shore to the Island in a Cannue & from 
thence walked over on the Ice which by drifting is filled up to an 
amazing thickness. Dined in Geo. Town and as the Baltimore 
Stage had come on no further than Bladensburg owing to the 
mismanagement of the driver I was put on that length in a chair, 
where I arrived about 7 o'C." 

24th. "Left Bladensburg about 6 o'C. Reached Baltimore 
between 4 and 5 o'C. Spent an hour or two with my intimate 
friend Gen'l [Otho H.] Williams. Wrote Eliza [his wife] the 
4th letter [since leaving her]." 

25th. Left Baltimore Yz after 7 o'C in company with Mrs. 
Jackson (her husband riding on horseback) of Philadelphia, a 
sensible, gentle Lady, Mr. Richard Cursons, Jr., Merch't, Balti- 
more, Benedict Hale, of this State, a gentleman with whom I was 
acquainted at Bath [Va.] in the year 1768, Mr. Scott, a lawyer, 
and two young fellows going to Philadelphia. Reached the Sus- 
quehannah a little after sun set. We concluded not to venture 
to cross 'til morning." 

26th. "Arose all hands at 5 o'C and as it had froze pretty 
hard we set out as scon as we could fairly see across. The ferry- 
man piloting us & dragging our baggage and Mr. Jackson on 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 325 

a small steed a little better than a mule, got all over without any 
boat or danger & set off in the stage yi after 6 o'C. Break- 
fasted at head of Elk & refreshed in Wilmington while horses 
were changing ; halted for the same purpose at Chester & got to 
Phil'a about lo o'C at night. Stopped at the Indian Queen, 
4th Street. 

27th. " Spent the day in delivering letters & doing private 
business for Gen'l Weedon & others. Dined at Mr. Sam'l 
Pleasants ; waited on Mrs. Jackson in the evening ; received 
many thanks from her husband for my attention to her. Met 
with Miss Rittenhouse & a Miss Dale, both of whom played a 
few pieces on the Piano forte, as did Mrs. Leath, sister of Mrs. 
Jackson. Took my leave between 7 & 8 o'C." 

28th. " Set out [with stage] for New York at 6 o'C ; reached 
the Gen'l Washington ^ after 7 o'C — 10 miles; Breakfasted and 
changed Horses; drove to Burlington 10 miles in i hour and 15 
minutes ; changed horses and drove to the upper ferry at Tren- 
ton in I Hour and 20 minutes ; found the river hard frozen on 
each side so far as to throw the whole water within the compass 
of 100 yards, which ran with great rapidity ; walked to the edge 
of the Ice & then got into a small skiff with two other passen- 
gers and the ferryman, who, notwithstanding the strength of the 
current, managed the boat with great ease, but striking the boat 
against a piece of ice, which had broken off, he had nearly over- 
set us. Dined at Trenton & drove to Princetown, 12 miles in one 
hour & a half; halted a few minutes and put on with the same 
horses to Jones', 8 miles, drove in less than one hour & a quar- 
ter. As it was then between 7 & 8 o'C & we had the river to 
cross on the Ice, which they drove over with waggons, we con- 
cluded to go no further & the Stage returned to Jones's. " 

.29th. " Curson & Self put on in a Sleigh. Set out ^ after 
6' o'C ; drove over the Rariton river in full trot & reach' d Wood- 
bridge, 10 miles in one hour and 12 minutes, where we break- 
fasted changing sleigh horses & got to Elizabeth Town Point, 
125-^ miles in one hour and 13 minutes; crossed over in a skiff 
to Staten Island & then put on in a sleigh about 3 miles to Ive- 
sons', where we fell in with a number of market people going to 
New York; embarked in a large boat with two sails, a cabbin 



326 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

with Stove & crossing over to Bergen Point, landed two men with 
their horses & then put round for New York, which we reached 
in 58 minutes, 12 miles. Put up at the City Tavern & dined & 
then went to Ellsworth's to wait on Mr. [James] Madison and 
Mr. Beacon. The first not within. Left the papers and letters 
with the latter, delivered sundry Private letters ; waited on my 
old friend and fellow Prisoner in Quebeck, Gen'l [John] Lamb; 
affectionately received and invited to dine with him to-morrow. 
Lodged at the City Tavern." 

Saturday, March ist. Waited on Mr. Maddison after Break- 
fast ; find him prepared to leave Town to-morrow for Virg' a. 
Waited on Mr. Cyrus Griffin, another delegate from Virg' a & 
President of C9ngress, where I am to meet the delegation in the 
evening & to dine to-morrow. Mr. Maddison consented to stay 
'til Monday to introduce the business & do everything in his 
power to promote the Object of Virg'a. Dined with Gen'l. 
Lamb ; most cordially treated & rec'd with a general invitation. 

3d. ' ' Mr. Madison laid the business before Congress this fore- 
noon when it was referred to a Committee of five, viz : Gen'l. 
Wadsworth of Connec. ; Mr. Dare, of Mass. ; Mr. Clarke, of 
Jersey; Gen'l. Irvine, of Penn. ; and Mr. Kearney, of Delaware. 
Went to the play in company with the President "[Mr. Griffin] 
and three other members of Congress. Agreeably enough en- 
tertained with the "Duenna" ; some good musick and admirable 
singing by Mrs. Henry, who is the third sister and third wife to 
Henry, the comedian." 

4th. Dined with Mr. Pierce, who in politeness to me had 
invited Gen'l Knox, Sec'y at War; Gen'l Wadsworth, Cap't 
Dayton, Mr. Gilman and Mr. Wingate, Members of Congress. 
Went home with Gen'l Knox and spent the evening with him, 
'til near 12 o'C. Engaged to dine with him on Saturday. Took 
leave of Mr. Madison at the ferry boat between i & 2 o'C." 

The adjustment of the claim of Virginia progressed but slowly, 
the "award" not being signed by the Commissioners until May 
15th. In the meantime, whilst he unremittingly left undone 
nothing likely in his information and apprehension to promote the 
interest of Virginia, Colonel Heth continued to be constantly 
and variedly "most agreeably" entertained and diverted. He 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 327 

breakfasted, dined or supped, among many others, with Baron 
Steuben, Governor Clinton, John Wickham and wife, Generals 
Irvine, Butler, Williams, Webb and St. Clair, Arthur Lee, 
Samuel Osgood, Andrew J. Pickens, Colonels Alexander Hamil- 
ton, Rice, Henry and Burr — " A fellow adventurer on Arnold's 
march," James Wilson, "the Signer of the Declaration of 
Independence," " Mr. Paradise of English parents, but who 
was born in Turkey, whose Lady was a Ludwell born 
in Virg'a and is first cousin to R. H. Lee," and "Mr, 
McComb, an Irishman who has made his plumb as a trader at 
Detroit and contractor to the British," Many of his evenings 
were devoted to the ' ' Play-house ' ' and other " diversions.' ' He 
mentions the " wonderful performances in balancing, &c, under 
the direction of Signor Carli — the performers, a negro man and a 
small white boy," the playing of Miss Eccles on the harpsichord 
and among many other plays that of " The School for Soldiers, 
or the Deserter," " a most affecting performance & admirably 
executed ; a very crowded house & many weeping Eyes," 

April 15th. He notes the quelling by the military of a mob which 
sought vengeance on some medical students — detected body- 
snatchers. In the riot, four citizens lost their lives and many 
others received injuries, among them Baron Steuben, "a wound 
between his eyes" and Mr. Jay who "got his scull almost 
cracked." 

Colonel Heth left New York to return home in the afternoon 
of May i6th, and reached Richmond on the 26th. He " lodged 
at Harry's," his brother's house, that night and got home, 
[" Curies," in Henrico county,] the following morning to break- 
fast. " Happy once more in meeting my Ehza & boy well." 

His successful accomplishment of his commission met the 
commendation of the Governor and Council, and later he 
was voted additional compensation for his services by the 
Assembly. 

His time, as now recorded, was divided in attention to his 
farm, attendance on the State Convention then in session, at the 
Council Chamber, and in social claims. 

He appears almost daily to have been entertained by his friends 
or to have extended bounteous hospitality at "Curies," His 



328 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

guests, sometimes more than twelve in number, would reach his 
home in the forenoon and spend the day, some remaining unti 
the following morning and others several days. They included 
members of the Convention from various sections of the State, 
old army comrades, the Governor (then Edmund Randolph), 
Captain Marshall (the future Chief Justice), prominent citizens 
of Richmond, and neighboring planters and their wives and 
daughters. 

And so the welcome extended and prevailed. Sometimes 
the guests yielded to the solicitations of other friends and 
accompanied them home, and thus an intended visit of one 
day was prolonged into an absence from home of often more 
than a week. It was a charming social system, as free from 
pomp and factitious restraint as it was spontaneous and refined. 

It was an existence, in its purity and reality, never to be re- 
vived, fostered by circumstances which have been ruthlessly 
destroyed and over-shadowed. 

Among the early appointments of President Washington was 
that of Colonel Heth as Collector of the Ports of Richmond, 
Petersburg, and Bermuda Hundred, a position which was con- 
scientiously and efficiently filled. Colonel Heth was a man of 
decided convictions. He was devoted to Washington, and was 
as constant in his political faith as he was consistent in his code 
of social ethics. 

The election of Jefferson to the Presidency betrayed the impul- 
sive veteran into some asperities of speech and the perpetration 
of a rhyming pasquinade, in which he dealt very freely with 
some alleged frailties of the President. 

His transgression received summary attention. His office was 
first divided and diminished, the collectorship of Richmond 
being bestowed on Major James Gibbon, and a little later he was 
entirely superseded by the appointment of John Page in July, 
1802, to the collectorship of Petersburg and Bermuda Hundred. 
The action of Colonel Heth was prompt. He turned over at 
once the books of his office to his deputy, Charles Turnbull, and 
requested the adjustment of his accounts. The health of Mr. 
Page not allowing him to qualify. Colonel Heth was constrained 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 329 

to remain at his post until November following, when Dr. John 
Shore entered upon the duties of the office.' 

Colonel Heth was one of the delegates from Virginia to the 
convention which met in Philadelphia May 4, 1784, and organ- 
ized the General Society of the Cincinnati ; and he was also one 
of those who met at Fredericksburg, Virginia, October 6, 1783, 
and organized the Virginia branch of the Society. He was unani- 
mously elected treasurer of the State Society at the meeting 
held in Richmond, November 16, 1786, and continued to hold 
the office until his death. 

Colonel Heth was stout in person and of medium stature. He 
had lost an eye from a wound received during the war. A bust 
portrait of him in crayon is in the possession of his great-grand- 
son, Mr. Richard Heth Munford Harrison, Richmond, Virginia. 

The death of Colonel Heth, by apoplexy, was sudden. The 
exact date has not been preserved, but it was in April, 1807, 
some time prior to the 8th, as on that day his will was admitted 
to probate. 

He was twice married, and mentions in his will slaves received 
by his first wife, whose name is not given. He married secondly 
Eliza, daughter of Gray and Dorothea (Pleasants) Briggs.^" 

He appears to have possessed a comfortable estate, which 
included slaves, stocks and three farms — "Curies," "Bremo" 
and "Shilela." His executors were John Marshall, Edward 
Carrington, Harry Heth, his brother, and Henry G. Heth," his 
son. He mentions his son, Henry G., and daughters, Mary 
Andrewetta, Ann Eliza Agnes Pleasants and Margaret Thomas 

^ Still the war upon Colonel Heth did not cease. An amount of sev- 
eral hundred dollars accruing from a commission fixed by Congress 
was disputed . Colonel Hetii referred the matter to the courts, where the 
legal decision was in his favor, and he received a receipt from the gov- 
ernment in full and final satisfaction of his accounts. The net emolu- 
ments of the office appear to have been about |4,ooo annually. 

1" Gray Briggs was a native of England, and his wife, the daughter of 
John Pleasants, of " Curies," son of John and Dorothea (Cary) Pleas- 
ants, and grandson of John Pleasants (and his wife Jane, widow of 
Samuel Tucker), who emigrated from Norwich, England, and settled at 
" Curies," James river, in 1668. Born 1640; died May 12, 169S 

'1 Drowned by the capsizing of a sail-boat in James river, October 7, 
1816. 



330 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

Jaquelin Heth. These respectively married Richard Lorton, 
Bowler Cocke and Samuel Pleasants, M. D. He provides also 
with lands in Kentucky for his adopted or acknowledged son, 
William H. Heth, " commanding the ship John Marshall, owned 
by Archibald Gracie, of New York."'^ The widow of Colonel 
Heth married secondly Lightfoot Janney, but they had no issue. 
Of the issue of Richard and Mary Andrewetta (Heth) Lorton, 
Margaret A. E. became the wife of John Nicholas Harrison,'* 
the son of Benjamin and Dolly Pleasants Gray Briggs (Nicholas) 
Harrison, and grandson of Benjamin Harrison, of " Wakefield," 
and grandson of Colonel John and Dolly (Briggs) Nicholas. 



^^ His descendants in Kentucky are said to be held in high social 
esteem. 
'^ Parents of Richard Heth Munford Harrison. 



ORDERLY book: 

OF 

MAJOR WILLIAM HETH, 

1777. 



Bound Brook, May 15th, 1777. 
D. Orders. 

The General having Observ'd that many of the Men make 
a practice of lying or sitting on the Ground, Often on such as is 
wet and Cold, desires that the Officers would pay particular 
attention to correct a Custom so injurious. 

The Field Officer of the day will in future take the 'names of 
the Commanders of Guards and their strength on parade & 
transmit the same to the Commissary that he may be enabled to 
issue their Rum without any further trouble to the Officer of the 
day. 

One Capt. 2 subs. 3 Serg'ts, 3 Corps, 2 Drum's and Fifes & 
40 Privates are to relieve Picquet now furnished by Colo. Arnold 
from Quibble-Town on the road leading thither to-morrow 
morning, this to be done daily till further orders. 

A Drum and fife will for the future [attend] every Capt's 
Guard, as also that of the Genl's Field Officer of the day to- 
morrow Lt. Col. Nelson.^* All the Drums & fifes in this division 
will attend on the Guard parade at Guard Mounting. 

'*The Virginia Convention in session at Richmond, January 12, 1776, 
by ballot elected the following as officers of the Seventh Virginia regi- 
ment: William Dangerfield, Colonel (seeanfe,p. 216); Alexander Mc- 
Clanahan, Lieutenant-Colonel, and William Nelson, Major. The last 
named was subsequently promoted lieutenant-colonel, and is presumed 
to have been the officer of the text. Waddill {Annals of Atigtista 
Coimty, Virginia^ p. 160) states that Colonel McClanahan was at the 



332 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 



Bound Brook, i6th May, 1777. 

D. Orders. Parole. C Sign. 

The General is sorry that he is again Obliged to direct that 
no Officer commanding a Picquet or any out post presume to be 
reliev'd till he has first informed the Officer relieving him the 
Ground. 



B. Brook, May 17th, 1777. 
Brigade Orders. 

The 7th and nth Reg'ts will be on parade to-morrow at 4 
o'clock in the Afternoon and go through the Exercise & Evo- 
lutions. 

The General desires the Officers will be particularly attentive 
to have their Men clean and their Arms in the best order. 

D. O. Parole. C. Sign. 

Field Officer of the day to-morrow, Col. Bowman. ^^ 



Camp B. Brook, May 17th, 1777. 
Gen'l Orders. 

The Officers of Reg'ts are to attend the parade at Reveille. 
Beating at ten o'clock & four in the afternoon. 



battle of Great Bridge, near Norfolk, December 9, 1775, in which every 
British grenadier was killed, without loss to the Virginians. He served 
under General Andrew Lewis at Williamsburg in 1776, and was com- 
missioned colonel of the Seventh Virginia, October 7, 1776. At that 
time General Woodford's brigade was composed of the Third, Seventh, 
Eleventh, and Fifteenth regiments. McClanahan retired from the 
army before the end of the war. He married Miss Shelton, a sister of 
the first wife of Patrick Henry. He had issue — two daughters — Mrs. 
Abney and Mrs. Austin, and a son, John, who died unmarried. 

^^ January 12, 1776, Abraham Bowman was appointed by the Virginia 
Convention lieutenant-colonel of the Eighth Virginia or " German Regi- 
ment," of which Peter Muhlenburg was appointed colonel. The latter 
was subsequently promoted major-general. Bowman received from 
the State of Virginia, October i, iSro, 7,591% acres of land as bounty 
for seven years and ten months' service. 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 



333 



Mr. Tauny Hill "* to rank as First Lieutenant in consequence 
of a Vacancy that happened the 15th of Nov'r. 

Dan'l Morgan. 



Near B. Brook, May 19th, 1777. 
Reg'l Orders. 

The Drum & Fife Majors must take particular care that the 
Drummers & Fifers are particularly drest, their Drums & Fifes 
in good Order and that they practice together one hour every 
day. 

No Drummer or Fifer to play or Beat after Tattos & Reveille 
Beating except by order of the Commanding Officer. 

It gives me pleasure to see the officers of the Regt's appear 
clean & genteel on the parade, And hope and Expect that they 
will take care that their Men in like Manner for the future appear 
decent & clean on the parade as nothing attends so much to the 
health of Soldiers as Cleanliness. 

A Fatigue to parade to-morrow at Troop Beating under Direc- 
tion of the Quarter Masters. 

That the Adjutant attend every Morning at Reveille and 
Retreat Beating to Enquire where the Absent Men are & the 
reason why they are absent. 

Col. Morgan," Com'g. 



Bound Brook, May 19th, 1777. 
Brigade Orders. 

The Commanding Officer of each Corps will immediately 
draw Ammunition to complete their Men & see that their Arms 
are well Clean' d and kept in constant good order. 

For the future the Officers of each Company will carefully 
examine at Retreat Beating what are loaded, it is necessary to 
have discharged & those of each Company in a Battalion Assem- 

iBJosiah Tannehill, subsequently, from January i, 1782, paymaster and 
clothier of Colonel Gibson's regiment, colonel of militia ; and after *he 
war married Nancy, sister of Colonel William Heth. 

" The celebrated Daniel Morgan. 



334 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

ble together under the Command of a Captain who is to march 
them to some Convenient place & see that they & only they dis- 
charge their Arms, & March them back to their Regimental 
parade & Dismiss them. Any soldier that is discovered firing 
his piece at any time will be severely punish' d. Every Officer 
who observes such firing out of time is deser'd to Confine the 
Offinder immediately. 



D. Orders. Parole. C. Sign. 

A General Court Martial to sit to-morrow at lo O'clock 
for the Trial of the Prisoners in the Main Guard. 

Col. Spotswood/^ President. 

The Court to Sit in the Red House opposite the Grand Parade. 
Field officer of the day, to-morrow. Major Davis. 



Camp near B. Brook, May 20th, 1777. 
R. O. 

The Commanding Officers of the different Companies are 
desir'd to make an immediate Return of what Arms are wanting 
to Complete their Companies and such as are unfit for service, 
also the Number of Flints wanting to furnish two to each Man, 
and Cartridges to fill up their Boxes. 



D. Orders. 

The Quibble Town Piquet Guard, the Brunswick & lower 
Rariton are to be re-inforced with two Subalterns, i Serg't, i 
Corp'l & 10 privates each — A Subaltern to go at all times with 



'^Alexander, son of Colonel John, the eldest son of Colonel Alexan- 
der Spotswood, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, 1710-1722, was first 
captain of an independent company; appointed major of the Second 
Virginia regiment, August 17, 1775 ; promoted lieutenant-colonel ; 
received, September 4, 1790, 6,000 acres of land as bounty from the 
State of Virginia. 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 335 

the Scouts by day & Night & no attack to be made on the Sen- 
tries [except] by leave obtained from the Commanding Officer 
of the Guard who shall send out such Scouts or Patrols. Care 
will be taken by the Scouts fully to Examine all houses, places 
where an Enemy may be conceal' d before they pass, & while 
observing the State of the Enemy, particular Care will be taken 
by having Sentries on Commanding Ground in the front to watch 
their Motions & prevent the Scouts being out-flank' d and 
enclos'd. The General is sorry to have so much firing at Retreat 
Beating as has been some days past & is surpriz'd that the orders 
of May 20th which mention' d the discharging such Guns only 
as had been long Charg'd, or was wet, or such as shou'd urg'd 
in Justification thereof 

No Guns in future will be discharg'd at Retreat Beating sav- 
ing such as shall be permitted by the Commanding Officers of 
the several Divisions. The nth Virg'a Reg' t to be muster' d 
to-morrow therefore Exempted from any other Duty. 

Field Officer of the day to-morrow Lt. Col. Butler. Adju- 
tant—Mr. Gibbs. 



After Orders. 

The Officers Commanding Companies will read the orders 
of the preceding Day every Morning on their respective parades 
to their Men. As likewise the Officers Commanding Piquets, 
that whole Divisions may be acquainted with them & have no 
plea for their Non-performance. 



Brigade Orders. 

I Capt., 3 Subalterns, 3 Serg'ts, 3 Corporals & 50 Rank & 
file to parade at 4 o' Clock this Afternoon. The Captain is to 
wait on General Woodford for his orders. The Officers are 
desired to pay particular attention to the Orders respecting their 
Men firing at Retreat Beating. The whole Brigade are to be 
upon their Arms in their Tents & quarters & not undress 
themselves that they may be ready to parade at the shortest 
Warning. 



336 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 

Camp Bound Brook, May 21st, 1777. 
Brigade Orders. 

One Captain, two subaterns, 4 Serg'ts, 4 Corporals & 60 
rank & file to parade immediately for a Detachment. Lieut. Col. 
Parker '' will command the party. As the weather is now fair, 
there will be no necessity for firing any of the arms as usual. 
The Officers will therefore take Notice that there be no dis- 
charging of Arms till further orders. All the Tents to be struck 
every fine Day at ten O' Clock & pitched again at 4 O' Clock. 
The Officers are desir'd to be Careful for the future to have all 
orders respecting the Men regularly read to them agreeable to 
Yesterday's Orders. 



R. Orders. 



22d May, 1777. 



I find little regard has been paid to my Orders of the i8th. 
I once more Desire that the Officers of the different Companies 
may attend the Alarm post or parade at Reveille Beating and to 
keep their Men at the Manual Exercise & firing one hour. 



May 22d, 1777, B. Brook. 

Division Orders. Parole. Countersign. 

The Officers Commanding Battallions or Detachments who 
have not drawn Tents will immediately make return to the 
Quarter Master who will furnish them with what are necessary. 



Brigade Orders. 

A Court of Inquiry to sit immediately & to report to Briga- 



^^ Richard Parker, lieutenant-colonel Second Virginia regiment ; pro- 
moted colonel First Virginia, February 10, 1778; received 6,66673 acres 
bounty land from Virginia, June 4, 1783, for three years' service. 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 337 

dier-General Woodford,"" the nature of a Complaint Exhibited 
against Adjutant Vowles ''^ of the yth Virg'a Reg't by Capt. 
Livinsworth of Colonel Butler's Reg't. The Court to sit to- 
morrow at Major Day's Marke at 4 o'clock. 

. Captain Lipscomb," President. 
Two Sub's from the 7th Reg't. 
Two Do. from the nth Reg't. 

The Camp Colourmen ^^ of each Reg't to sweep their Encamp- 
ments & bury all the Dead Carcases and other filth in and about 
the Camp. Six Subalterns, five Sergeants and 54 Rank and file 
to be warned from the 7th & nth Virg'a Reg'ts who are to join 
Capt. Church's ^* Company of Colonel Johnson's Reg't, consist- 
ing of one Captain, two Subaterns & 4 Serg'ts, 36 Rank and 
file, who are to do the Duty of Patrols to the Brunswick, Lower 
Rariton and Quibble Town Piquets till further Orders & to be 
Excused from all other Duty. 



^"William Woodford, born in Caroline county, Virginia, in 1735; 
served with distinction as lieutenant in the French and Indian war (see 
an^e, p. 218); appointed colonel Second Virginia regiment in 1775; 
subsequently commanded the First Virginia brigade; wounded at the 
battle of Brandy wine ; at the siege of Charleston was made prisoner 
and taken to New York city ; died there November 13, 1780. His heirs 
received, August 10, 1783, 10,000 acres from Virginia as bounty land 
•for three years' service. His son, John T. Woodford, was a lieutenant- 
colonel in the war of 1812. 

"^ Henry Vowles received 4,666;/^ acres of land bounty for services as 
captain-lieutenant. 

^'^ Captains Reuben and Bernard Lipscomb, both received bounty 
lands from Virginia. 

2^ Six men were usually appointed for each regiment and sometimes 
one for each company, as camp colourmen. They marched with the 
quartermaster to assist in making necessary preparations against the 
arrival of the regiment in a new encampment. They also carried the 
camp colors. [Duane's Military Dictionary.) 

^■* Captain Thomas Church (originally of Wayne's battalion), of Colo- 
nel Francis Johnston's Fifth Pennsylvania regiment, appointed January 
5, 1776; promoted major Fourth Pennsylvania September, 1777; 
relieved from service January i, 1781 ; died near Coventryville, Chester 
county, Pennsylvania. 



338 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

General Weedon's" Brigade is to furnish the Same Number of 
Officers & Men for this Duty, which is to be done in the follow- 
ing manner, Two Commissioned Officers, two Sergeants, and 
twenty Rank and file to each of the above Piquets, to be relieved 
every twenty four hours. 

General Weedon furnishes the Quibble Town Piquet this Eve- 
ning, & the other two to be furnished from this Brigade. The 
Brigade Major will Consult with the Commanding Officers of the 
yth & nth Reg'ts to pitch upon the properest officers for this 
duty & he is to make the several Regiments allowance in the 
General Detail. 



Head Quarters Morris Town, May 19th, 1777. 

The Commander-in-Chief positively directs that all officers 
Stationed at out posts do not come to Morris Town, but when their 
Business absolutely requires it & in that Case that they return 
to their Posts with all expedition. Thomas Mullin, Esq'r, is ap- 
pointed Brigade Major to Brig'r General De Borre,''^ and is to be 
respected & obeyed as such. A Number of horses having been 
drawn from the Quarter Master General for particular Services & 
not return' d when the business was perform' d — All Officers of 
Regiments and others in possession of horses belonging to or 
hir'd by the States are immediately to return them to the Quarter. 



^= George Weedon patented 236 acres near the lands of John Winston 
in 1694 ( Virginia I^atid Registry Book, No. 2, p. 5), and John Weedon 
400 acres of land in Henrico county, July 9, 1724 (No. 12, p. 12). 
George Weedon served as an ensign in the French and Indian war (see 
ante, p. 214). Subsequent to the Revolution he was an innkeeper and 
portmaster of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 

^^Peudhomme De Borre, a French officer of thirty-five years' service 
in Europe, claimed the post of honor on the extreme right of the line 
at the battle of Brandywine. General Sullivan would not yield, and by 
a circuitous march endeavoring to outreach De Borre was late upon 
the field. The latter then took the coveted position, but his brigade 
was the first to give way in the action. For his conduct on this occa- 
sion, and also in the expedition against Staten Island, Congress voted 
an inquiry. De Borre was offended and resigned his commission, 
which was promptly accepted. 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 339 

Master General, his Deputy, or Assistants in the Districts they 
may be at. The General Officers are to order returns to be made 
of any publick horses employed in their Families that the State 
of the horses belonging to the Army may be known. 



Head Quarters, Morris Town, May 20th, 1777. 

Valentine Peers, Esq'r,^' is appointed Brigade Major to Briga- 
dier General Weedon & is to be respected & obeyed as such. 

Lewis Woodruff, Esq'r.''^ appointed a Deputy Muster Master. 

Colonels and Commanding Officers of Battallions & Corps 
must cause their Regimental Paymasters to make up their pay 
Abstracts to the 30th of April inclusive, & order them to attend 
at the Pay-Master General's. They must be Examined and 
Signed by their respective Commanding Officers and Brigadiers, 
who will diligently Compare them with the daily and weekly 
Regimental Returns & certify them. The Company Abstracts 
must be delivered into the Paymaster General with the Regi- 
mental Abstracts. 

That the great & necessary purpose of adjusting the rank of 
all the Officers in [the] American Army may be effected with all 
Expedition, His Excellency, The Commander-in-Chief, is pleased 
to order that the Officers of each Continental Battallion do im- 
mediately Examine into the present rank & and hear the pre- 
tensions thereto of all the Captains & Subalterns ; — settle them, 
when they can, to the Satisfaction of all the Gentlemen concern' d; 
and make a full and fair report of all their proceedings to the 
Brigadier Commanding their Brigade — And that the Brigadiers 
with the assistance of the Field Officers in their Brigade, do, 
upon the receipt of such reports, proceed to adjust the rank of 
all the officers in their separate Brigades and make a full & 
fair report of their proceedings to the Major General Command- 



^' Valentine Peers received from the State of Virginia 5,333'^ acres 
as bounty for three years' service as captain. 

^^ Lewis Woodruff was appointed, November 28, 1776, second lieu- 
tenant of the Fourth New Jersey battalion of the Second State Estab- 
lishment. 



340 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

ing their Divisions, that should there be any instance of any dis- 
satisfaction in their Officers with the determination of their Field 
Officers, they be candidly insinuated by each Field Officer, and 
parties Comparing with all their attendant Circumstances & re- 
ported to their respective Brigadiers, who call before them all the 
parties Interested & inquire into their Claims, and if they cannot 
be settled to general Satisfaction make a special & particular 
report to their Major General, upon receipt of which several 
reports at Board of Officers will take a dispassionate and com- 
parative view of the whole & determine the Rank in the Army. 
Untill which time it is Expected the Service will not be Injured 
by disputes about Rank, but that every Officer will by an Emu- 
lous discharge of his duty recommend himself to his Country, 
and to the promotion he thinks himself Instilled to. 



Camp Middle Brook, May 24th, 1777. 
Gen'l Orders. 

The Brigadier Generals are requested to get a Return of 
the actual Strength of each Reg't in their respective Brigades & 
also the Number of Tents drawn for the use of the Regiments, 
their returns to be made immediately. 

The Quarter- Master General is to proportion the Tents to the 
strength of the Reg'ts, one tent to each five privates, two tents 
to the Officers oi each Company, one to each Field Officer, one 
to the Serg't Major and Quarter Master Serg't and one to 
Each of the Staffi Any reg't having drawn more than this pro- 
portion to deliver them to Colonel Biddle^® Quarter-Master- 
General upon his application for the Same — not more than one 
Horseman's Tent to be allowed to Each Reg't. 



Camp at Middle Brooke, May 26th, 1777. 
Brigade Orders, 

The Commanding Officers of the several Reg' ts to pay par- 
ticular attention to the orders of yesterday respecting the Returns 

29 Colonel Clement Biddle. 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 341 

of their Men and Number of Tents. Each Regimental Ouarter- 
Master is to have a sufficient Number of houses for camp use 
made immediately and they are required to be used, i Serg't, 
I Corp'l & 12 privates to mount immediately as a Guard at 
General Woodford's Quarters. The Brigade Major will not 
receive any Soldiers for this Guard, or any other, but what is 
Clean & dress' d in a Soldier-like manner. He will likewise fix 
on a parade for the Brigade & order a Fatigue to Clean it. One 
Subaltern for the future to take Charge of the Quarter Guard of 
the Brigade and make his report regularly to the General. 

Major Ryan^" is appointed to act as Deputy Adjutant General 
and is to be obeyed & respected as such until his Excellency, the 
Adjutant-General, or his Deputy arrives in Camp & gives Counter 
orders. Each Brigadier, or the Commanding officer of Brigades 
are requested, Eleven o'clock in the Morning to send a Brigade 
Major for orders at Major Ryan's quarters near the Gap of the 
Mountain. The Deputy Adjutant General will deliver out the 
Details for the Guards which are to be sent at the time & place 
according by the Returns ordered Yesterday to be delivered in 
to the Adjutant General's Office as soon as possible. 

The Brigade Majors are to deliver to-morrow to the Adj't 
General at Eleven o'clock the names of the Brigadier Generals, 
the Field [officers] & Adjutants in the Brigades to which they 
respectively belong. 

If any of the Brigadiers General are without Brigade Majors 
they must appoint some person to do their duty. Such Brigades 
[as] the Brigadiers are absent from, the Eldest Officer in the 
Brigade is to give the necessary orders to the Brigade. The 
Brigadier Commanding Officer of Brigades are to appoint 
Brigade Parades. The Troops for Guards are to assembled on 
the Brigade Parades by the Adjutants and, by the Brigade 
Majors march' d from thence at half past Eight o'clock. The 
General expects all orders to be punctually executed, the good 
of the Service and the safety of the Camp depending thereon. 
All Officers, of whatsoever Rank, are requested to govern them 
accordingly. A General Officer, two Field Officers & one 

'"Michael Ryan, promoted from captain Fifth Pennsylvania regiment ; 
suspended May 19, 1778; Inspector-General of Pennsylvania 17S0; 
resided in Alexandria, Virginia, after the war. 



342 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

Brigade Major of the day to Mount every morning at Guard 
Mounting at the Guard parade after the Guards are sent off. 
The Brigade Major of the day to attend at Head quarters to 
deliver such orders as the occurances of the day may render 
necessary. Each Brigade Major of the day to appoint an Adju- 
tant of the day for the parade. Every Brigade to furnish two 
orderly Sergeants, one to attend at Headquarters, and one at the 
Adjutant General's. 

[May 26th, 1777.] 

The Brigadier General of the day, to-morrow, Muhlenburg. 
Field Officer of the day, to morrow, Col. Hobly.^^ Brigade 
Major of the day, to-morrow, Major Hay.^'' 



Camp Middle Brook, 27th May, 1777. 
R. O. 

The Officers of the Regiment are desir'd to attend to-mor- 
row at ID o'clock at Colonel Febiger's Bush Arbour to settle their 
Ranks. They are hkewise to take Notice that His Excellency 
General Washington threaten' d to arrest the Command' r of a 
Regiment Yesterday for suffering fish & Bones and other Nasti- 
ness to lie about his Camp. I therefore desire that the Officers 
of this Regiment may exert themselves in having their Streets 
& their Men's Tents kept Clean & neat and to see that the 
Sergeants does their duty in having the Soldiers kept clean, neat 
& in good order, and their Arms likewise. 

The Adiutant to see that the Men are Clean & their Arms in 
good order before he receives them from the Sergeants. That 
no fires be made in Camp except in the places appointed for 
fires, which is in rear of the Suttler's. 



Camp Mildle Brook, May 27th, 1777. 
'General Orders. 

Major General Lincoln ^* is requested in Company at the 



^' Adam Hubley, Jr. lieutenant colonel Tenth Pennsylvania regiment. 
^^ Samuel Hay, promoted lieutenant-colonel Tenth Pennsylvania 
regiment, February 2, 1778. 
^^Major-General Benjamin Lincoln. 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 343 

General officer of the day to examine the late & present position of 
the piquet Guard, fix upon the proper Ground to post them & 
Establish such others as may be necessary for the future Security 
of the Camp & fix their position by day & night. The Officer 
of every Guard must send a Serg't upon the Grand parade from 
his Guard to pilot the new Guard. ^* 



nth Reg't Officers for Guard to-morrow Captain Bruins,^" 
Lieutenants Slaughter and Porterfield.^^ 



Camp M. Brook, June 7th, 1777. 
Brigade Orders. 

A Brigade Court Martial to sit this Morning for the Tryal of 
all the Prisoners in the Quarter Guard, As we expect to have a 
field day for the whole Division soon. He desires that the Offi- 
cers of each Companj'- in the Brigade will employ their time in 
having their Men's Arms clean'd in the best manner. 



^* Following this record is a page filled with an account of black- 
smith's work, of date April 25, 1778, and a memorandum by one '' Wil- 
liam Bradford — Harford county, May ye 9th, 1780, State of Maryland." 
Several leaves, probably, are also missing. The succeeding page com- 
mences disconnectedly, being the judgment of the Commander-in-Chief, 
who dissents from an acquittal by a court martial, and directs a recon- 
sideration of the matter. A William Bradford was appointed Novem- 
ber 28, 1776, first lieutenant in a rifle company of the regiment com- 
manded by Lieutenant-Colonel Moses Rawlings ; resigned April, 1778. 

'^ Peter Bryan Bruin, appointed captain Seventh Virginia regiment, 
December 13, 1776; promoted major; died in Claiborne county, Mis- 
sissippi, January 27, I«27. 

^^ Robert Porterfield, lieutenant Seventh Virginia regiment, January 
I, 1777 ; adjutant of Colonel Daniel Morgan's Eleventh and Fifteenth 
Virginia regiments, incorporated as they stood from May 31, 1777, to 
November 30, 1778; promoted captain on the Continental estabMsh- 
ment ; received 5,22173 acres of land as bounty from the State for 
seven years and ten months' service ; subsequently brigadier-general 
of State troops ; married Mary, sister of Colonel William Heth. 



344 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

Camp Middle Brook, June 7, i 777. 
Gen'l Orders. 

As the Army is now on a permanent and honourable Foot- 
ing, and as the General has the credit of it very much at heart ; he 
expects that every Officer on whom the Importance of the Con- 
test, and a regard to his own honour or duty are sufficiently 
impress'd; will lend their Aid to support the Character of it. 
To this end nothing can be more effectual than a close attention 
to Discipline and Subordination, and particularly in an exact 
obedience to General orders in which is the life of an Army ; 
Officers shou'd consider that a Repetition of orders is the 
highest reflection on those, who are the Causes of it. An 
orderly Book is a Record in the hands of thousands, of the Trans • 
actions of an Army, and consequently of the disgrace of those 
whose Insensibility to the Obligations they are under, and whose 
want of a manly emulation of temper obliges the Commander- 
in-Chief to publish their misconduct by repeating his calls upon 
them to discharge their duty. 

The General appeals to the understanding of every officer, 
and earnestly recommends a serious Consideration of these mat- 
ters, their Engagement with the publick, their own honour, and 
the Salvation of their Country demands it. The General wishes 
it on these Accounts & for his own ease and satisfaction ; for as 
nothing is more easy than to conduct an Army when a cheerful 
& ready obedience is paid to every order, so nothing is more 
difficult & embarrassing, where a careless, licentious & disorderly 
spirit prevails.^' 

The above Prisoners & those mentioned in former orders to 
be sent for to their respective Regiments and punish'd on their 
Brigade parades. 



Head Quarters, 7th June, 1777. 
After Orders. 

The Men from each of the following Brigades, viz't, Max- 



" Af:;ain a break in the record — a leaf apparently missing. 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 345 

well's, Muhlenburg's,^^ Weedon's, Woodford's, Scott's,^^ Con- 
way's,*" to parade to-morrow Morning at Guard Mounting at the 
Quarter-Master-General's Quarters as a Guard for some Cattle. 
The party to be commanded by a subaltern officer and relieved 
daily till further orders — the officer to be furnish'd from the 
diff't Brigades beginning with Maxwell's. 

nth Reg't officers for Guard to-morrow Lieut's Harrison" & 
Ransadale.''^ Major General for to-morrow Green[e].*^ Field 
Officers, Col. Ogden" & Lt. Col. Sears.*' Brigade Major, Peers. 



Headquarters M. Brook, June 8ih, 1777. 

A Detachment of 3 Captains, 6 Sub's, 9 Serg'ts & 150 pri- 
vates to parade to morrow Morning at 6 o'clock at General 
Weedon's 'parade with 4 days provisions ****=•= is to 
command this party and receive his orders from Major General 
Greene. 

By Intelligence from different quarters there is much reason 
to believe the Enemy are on the Eve of some important Opera- 
tion ; this makes it absolutely necessary that the whole Army 
should hold themselves in readiness to move at a moment's 
warning & that purpose they are always to be furnish'd with 
three days provision ready Cook'd. Officers to take care that 
their Men carry their own packs and to suffer none but Invalids 
to put their packs or Arms into Waggons. 

»8John Peter Gabriel Muhlenburg, promoted major-general; born 
October i, 1746; died October i, 1S07. 

^' General Charles Scott, from Virginia. 

*° Thomas Count de Conway, promoted major-general. 

"James Harrison, of Colonel Daniel Morgan's regiment. 

"Thomas Raiisadell or Ransdell, appointed lieutenant Seventh Vir- 
ginia regiment, July i, 1777. 

*^ General Nathaniel Greene. 

■"Colonel Matthias Ogden, of New Jersey. 

*^John Sears, lieutenant-colonel of Virginia on Continental Establish- 
ment, received 6,000 acres bounty land from Virginia, September 4, 
1790, for three year's service. 



346 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

The Quarter Master General to Settle with the Brigadiers the 
proper allowance of Waggons for their respective Brigades and 
to furnish them, or make any deficiency immediately. 

All Arms deliver' d, out of the Publick Stores, or purchased 
by Ofificers for the use of the Continent, to be branded, without 
loss of time, agreeable to former Orders. For the future none 
but printed Furloughs to be given to Soldiers. Any Soldier 
absent from his Corps, with only a written Furlough, will be 
be taken up, and his Furlough deemed a Forgery. This to be 
advertised in the publick papers of each State. 

A Return to be made to-morrow of the Chaplains of each 
Brigade, Specifying where they are. 



Head Quarters, 8th June. 
After Orders. 6 d clock. 

Those Riflemen returned to the Adjutant General agreeable 
to the General Order of the 2ist Inst, are to parade to-morrow 
morning at 6 o'clock on the Grand Parade. The Brigadiers of 
the different Brigades to which these Men respectively belong, 
to see that they have good rifles to be supplied (if their own 
shou'd not be good) from those who remain and don't answer 
the Description of the General Order above referred to. 

Morgan Conner, Adf t Gen' l.^^ 



Middle Brook, June gth, 1777. 
General Orders. 

The Commander-in-Chief is pleased to approve the follow- 
ing Sentences of a General Court Martial, held the 6th Inst., and 
orders them to be put in Execution forthwith — the Delinquents 



*^ Morgan Conner entered the service in 1776 as lieutenant in Captain 
George Nagel's company in Colonel William Thompson's regiment ; 
appointed brigade major to General John Armstrong, with rank of 
major; succeeded Wilkinson as lieutenant-colonel in 1777; he claimed 
rank, in 1779, as lieutenant-colonel Eleventh Pennsylvania regiment ; 
subsequently made lieutenant-colonel Seventh Pennsylvania ; said to 
have been lost at sea. His estate was administered on in 1782. 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 347 

to be immediately taken out of the Guard house and punished 
at the Brigade Parades to which they respectively belong, viz't: 
William Nicholson of the 15th Virg'a Reg't, Charged with deser- 
tion, to receive 25 Lashes. Markham Hill of 15th Virg'a Reg't, 
Charged with Desertion, to receive 25 Lashes. John King of the 
first New Jersey Reg't, charged with desertion, to receive 50 
Lashes. Thomas Banks of the 15th Virg'a Reg't, Charged with 
Desertion, to receive 20 Lashes. Anthony Payne of the 15th 
Virg'a Reg't, Charged with desertion, to receive 20 Lashes. John 
Lowry of the 9th Virg'a Reg't, Charged with damning the Gen- 
eral & his orders, to receive 39 Lashes. James Dougherty of the 
3d New Jersey Reg't, Charged with deserting, to receive 100 
Lashes. Daniel Henly of the 3d Virginia Regim't, Charg'd with 
deserting from his own Reg't & Enlisting into another, to receive 
25 Lashes. Samuel Mason of the said Regiment, Charg'd with 
the same, to receive 20 Lashes. John Bybecker of the German 
Battallion,*' Charg'd with Deserting & Enlisting into Another 
Reg't, the Sentence postponed for further Evidence. 

The Duty of the Major General of the day to begin with the 
mounting of the Guard one day and to End at the same time 
the next. The Commanding Officer of each Corps to keep the 
Ammunition Account with their Men & make them pay for all 
that is wantonly wasted. 

Captains of Companys to keep a List of their Men's Cloths 
and have them critically examined every Saturday. A Soldier 
shall not presume to sell any part of his Cloaths on any pre- 
tence whatsoever — the prisoners under Sentence of Death to 
prepare for Execution.** ***** 

The movements of this army either for olTensive or Defensive 
measures will be sudden, whenever they do happen, consequently 
no time can be allowed to draw or cook provisions. It may not 
be amiss, therefore, to remind the officers of the necessity of 
having their Men provided agreeable to an order of the 8th inst. 
and the Commissary is desir'd, if possible, to furnish Bak'd and 



^■'A German Battalion was raised agreeably to a resolution of Con- 
gress, May 25, 1776, composed of four companies from Pennsylvania, 
four from Maryland, to which was added a ninth, July 9, 1777. Lodo- 
wick Weltner was commissioned lieutenant-colonel August 9, 1777. 

*® Again a missing leaf. 



348 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

Salt Provisions for this purpose which the Men may keep by 
them, and continue to draw their usual allowance. It has been 
so often and so pressingly recommended to officers to have no 
unnecessary baggage with them, it is hoped the Army is entirely 
unencumbered with it, but if the case should be otherwise the 
General desires that the Brigadiers will have it immediately re- 
moved. 

The Adjutant General will direct to what place. After this 
Notice Officers are not to be Surpriz'd if heavy Boxes, Great 
Chests, Bedsteads, &c. are left behind in the Field. A very small 
Escort from the whole Line will be necessary to Guard the Bag- 
gage sent off pursuant to this order, and to be composed of the 
most indifferent Men, put under the command of a Careful 
Officer. 

The General is informed that great Complaints are made by the 
Inhabitants nearest the Enemies' Lines of Soldiers taking away 
their horses and other property, and that in many Instances they 
are Countenanced by the Officers under the Idea of the Inhabi- 
tants being Tories. The General expressly orders a stop to be 
put to such practices, or those who are Convicted of them will 
be brought to exemplary punishment. 

Such Inhabitants as are proper Objects of punishment will be 
dealt with in a legal way. But no Officer or Soldier is to judge 
for himself & appropriate their property to their own use or to 
seize it without proper orders. 

The Commander-in-Chief approves the following sentences of 
a Court Martial held the 7th Inst, of which Colonel Thomas 
Marshall of the 3rd Virg'a reg't was President. Lieut. Kirtley 
of the 8th V. R. Charg'd with disobedience of orders & absent- 
ing himself three Months beyond the time allotted him to join 
his Reg't, found not guilty of being absent from his Reg't 
beyond the time allotted him but guilty of disobedience of 
orders, sentenced to be discharged from the Service. Lieutenant 
Tully Robinson,*^ of the 4th Virg'a Reg't Charg'd with absent- 
ing himself from his Reg't without leave, found guilty of the 
Charge, Sentenced to be discharged from the Service and to for- 

*^ Tully Robinson, Captain of State Line of Virginia, received 4,000 
acres as bounty for three years' service, June 7, 1832. 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 



349 



feit his pay from the 30th December last till he join'd the Reg't 
again. Lieut. Ford of the 4th Virg'a Reg't Charg'd with dis- 
obedience of orders in the instance of firing a Gun without 
proper permission in Camp, Sentenced to receive a Reprimand 
by the Commanding Officer of the said reg't in the presence of 
the Officers of the same. John Smith of the 7th Pennsylv'a 
Reg't, formerly in the 6th, Charg'd with inlisting into the 9th 
pens'a Reg't without a discharge from the 7th, sentenced to 
receive 25 Lashes on his bare back, and the Bounty of twenty 
Dollars which he rec'd from the 9th to be stopped out of his 
pay. Peter Burney of the 13th new Jersey reg't, Charg'd with 
desertion. Sentenced to be discharged. William Shaddock of 
the 9th Pens'a reg't try'd by the same Court Martial the 2nd of 
June for desertion omitted in former orders, sentenced to receive 
25 Lashes on his bare Back. The Picquet Guards are to assem- 
ble in the Rear of the Artillery Park at Guard Mounting, this 
place to be considered as the Grand parade till further orders. 



Head Quarters, June loth. 
After Orders, 

A fatigue of one hundred Men with a proportion of to 

parade to-morrow 6 o'clock at the Quarter-Master- Generals to 
Take their Orders from Major G'l Green. Major Gen'l Green's 
Division to practice this afternoon with actual firing 3 o'clock in 
ye afternoon. 



Camp M. Brook, June 4th, 1777. 
Reg'l Orders. 

The Commanding Officers of the different Companies are 
desir'd to examine the State of the Arms, Ammunition & Accou- 
trements of their respective Companies and make an immediate 
return to the Quarter-Master of what are wanting to complete 
& what are wanting repair. 

Many of the Officers having paid proper attention to General 
Orders respecting the lessening of the Baggage, it is expected 
they will now make an Examination into their Companies on 



350 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

that head & have all that is unnecessary Collected that it may be 
transported when the Adj't General may direct agreeable to the 
General Orders of yesterday. 

This the Commanding Officer once more & for the last time 
requests an immediate compliance as he wou'd be sorry to see 
any of the property of the Soldiery left in the Field upon a sud- 
den encampment which must be the case, if these Orders are not 
attended to. 

In future when provision returns are made out it will be 
expected the officers will Examine them before they are deliver' d 
in the Sick under the immediate care of the Doctor to be par- 
ticularized. After this the Commanding Officer hopes not to 
find the provision Returns & the other Returns disagree. 



Head Quarters, Camp Middle Brook. 

June nth, 1777. 
General Orders. 

The Commissary General to deliver no rum for Guards or 
Fatigue Service but in following manner : a Jill '^ Man to all out 
Guards and Picquets the order for it to come from Brigadier of 
the day — the same allowance for all Fatigue parties. Either from 
the Line, Division or Brigade, the orders for it in the first 
instance to come from the Major General of the Day, in the 
Second from the Major General of the Division, in the 3d from 
the Brigadier of the Brigade. All Detachments & Scouting 
parties to have a Jill ^ Man for Every night they are out. The 
Major General of the Day to give the Orders for it. A Jill to 
all fatigue parties, in the Commissary or Qr. Master General's 
departments; the order to come from the principal officer pres- 
ent of the departments. 

No other Guards or fatigue to have any allowance of rum, 
the Rum for Guards not to be Issued till the Duty is done. All 
Stragling or Suspected persons taken up to be brought before 
the Major General of the day. 

All Guards or Detachments going towards the Enemy or 
coming from them to march in the same order, as if they expec- 
ted an immediate attack — for this purpose the Officers to be at 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 351 

their proper post, and the men to move with regularity ; advan- 
ced rear & flank guards to be sent out in proportion to the 
strength of the Party, and at a greater or lesser distance accord- 
ing to the nature of the Ground. 

As in advancing towards an Enemy, or coming from them is 
danger of surprize and attack. Precautions should be alwavs 
taken to be prepared for them and were not this the Case, good 
Habits will be introduced by acting in this manner when there is 
little or no occasion which will be Serviceable when there is, and 
both Officers & Men will be taught their Duty. 

All Stragling Sutlers immediately to quit the Camp or their 
Liquors, &c. will be taken from them & distributed among the 
Soldiers without any Compensation. Each Brigadier to notify 
those about his Camp with this Order. General Lincoln has 
permission to clean loaded Pieces of his Division by discharging 
them this Evening at Retreat. 

All Regimental Paymasters are to attend the paymaster Gene- 
ral at his Quarters on Friday at lo o'clock. Colonel De la 
Laviere^" is appointed to the Command of the Corps, heretofore 
under Major Ottendorf^^ The Commanding Officer of each 
Corps is to report every Deserter from it immediately to his 
Brigadier who is to pursue without loss of time the most vigor- 
ous measures to have the Offenders apprehended and to give an 
Account of the matter to the Major General of the Day, who is 
to draw the whole into one view in his report of occurences to 
the Commander-in-Chief, Strict attention is expected will be paid 
to this order. 



^^ De la Raddiere appointed Colonel of Engineers, July S, 1777 ; died 
in service. 

^^ Nicholas Dietrich, Baron de Ottendorff, a nobleman from Lusatia, 
Saxony, had served in the "Seven Years' War" as a lieutenant under 
Frederick the Great. Upon the close of that war he went to Paris, 
where he associated with Ivosciuszko and Roman de Lisle. At the 
breaking out of the Revolution the three came to America, Koskiuszke 
entered the stafFof General Washington, De Lisle was made captain of 
artillery and Ottendorff, at the request of Washington, was appointed 
a brevet captain. On December 5, 1776, Congress directed Captain 
Ottendorff to raise an independant corps, he raised three companies in 
Philadelphia and took command of them with the rank of major. The 
corps was subsequently merged into Armand's Legion. 



352 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

The order some time ago given at Morris Town forbidding 
Waggoners to gallop ; and strain horses is little attended to. The 
Qr. Master Gen'l therefore will inform those people of the Con- 
sequences of disobedience. 

The Brigadier Majors are to meet the Adjutant General pre- 
cisely at six o'clock this afternoon at his Tent. The Guard for 
the Commissary's Cattle is to be furnish' d by rotation by the 
different Brigades and to reliev'd every three days. General 
Muhlenburg's Brigade will furnish it to-day, the Men to carry 
three days Provision with them. 



Camp Middle Brook, June 12th, 1777. 
Reg'l Orders. 

Notwithstanding orders have been many days issued 
desiring an Orderly Sergeant to be appointed to each Company, 
The officers commanding Companies have not paid the smallest 
regard to them" The orders are again repeated, with a positive 
declaration that any Officer disobeying this, or any General, 
Division, Brigade, or Regimental order, shall be immediately 
arrested, and Sergeants not doing their duty will be Confin'd. 
The Orderly Sergeant is to wait upon the Officers of his Corn- 
any immediately after he receives them & to read the Regimen- 
tal orders to their Company every Evening before they march 
them to the Regimental parade, other orders will be read to the 
Reg't when drawn up. 

If the Officers had attentively perused the General Orders 
Issued since His Excellency arriv'd in Camp, The Commanding 
Officer wou'd not now be under the disagreeable necessity of 
speaking in a Style he wou'd most sincerely wish to avoid. 

An Orderly Serg't from each Company will attend immedi- 
ately on the Quarter Master & receive a proportion of Screw 
Drivers & Worms, also Canteens, if any Shou'd be wanting. 



Head Ouarters, June 12th, 1777. 
G. O. 

The General thinks it proper to Establish the following 
Regulations for Guards, and hopes that Officers will consider them 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 353 

as the Rule of Practice, and make themselves well acquainted with 
them. When any Guards arrive at the Posts assign'd them the 
Officer's first Care is to plant his Centinels properly according 
to Circumstances. The Guards shou'd remain under Arms 
while this [is] doing, and if it be at an out post near the Enemy, 
temporary Sentries shou'd be placed at a small distance near 
the Guard to prevent Surprize, while the Commanding Officer 
reconnoiters the Ground, to know where the Gentries are to be 
posted for a continuance, this to be done in Case the ground has 
not beforehand been examined and particular Instructions given 
or in case he does not relieve some other Guards, but if he does 
relieve another, he is to receive all the orders given to the Offi- 
cers of the Old Guard in Waiting; which together with those he 
receives from the Brigadier & Field Officer of the Day, he is 
punctually to observe, if any difference arise between them, he is 
to obey the latter in preference & immediately to send a Party 
under a Trusty Officer, conducted by an Officer of the Old 
Guard, to relieve the Sentries thereof, who is to return to the 
Old Guard. If the Guard be of such a nature as that other 
matters other than the Security of the Post are intrusted to it 
they must be contain' d in a written report, and an Officer of the 
New, to be accompanied by one of the Old must be sent to take 
them in Charge, compairing the things themselves with the 
report and see that all is right. 

The Sentries of the Old Guard having joined it, they are to 
march it back from whence it came with the greatest Order & 
decorum and then send off the Detachments Composing it under 
proper Officers to Each to join their Corps, preserving regularity 
on the way. After placing his Sentries the Officer of the new 
Guard is to make his Men lodge their Arms in such a manner 
that Each Man may have recourse to his in a moment without 
battle & confusion. In most cases it is best the Arms shou'd be 
grounded on the Guard parade during the day, no Man to put 
off his accoutrements on any pretence whatever. This done, the 
Comd'g Officer accompanied by a Couple of Men is to visit all 
the Sentries to see that they are posted right & instruct them in 
the Line of their Duty. His next care is to take such precau- 
tions for the security of his post by forming abetties & raising 
parapets as Circumstances require to guard against any surprize 



354 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

or repel any sudden attempt. He should make himself ac- 
quainted not only with all the great Roads leading to the Enemy, 
or the Army he belongs to, but shou'd search out Every by-path 
and advance by which he may more securely send his parties to 
reconnoiter the Enemy or make his retreat good on any Emer- 
gency. He shou'd have scouting parties all day and Parole 
going all night towards the Enemy in his rear & upon his flanks 
to gain intelligence of their motions and give timely notice of 
any attempt that may be making. If this notice can be done 
without firing the Scouts or patrols to retreat by way of the Sen- 
tries to alarm them. . Visiting Rounds shou'd be going all night 
to see that the Sentries are all the Posts, alert & acquainted with 
every particular of their duty. The break of day are the most 
favorable time for an attack or surprize. A good Officer will be 
careful to turn out his Guard under Arms till an hour after Sun- 
rise, and to have his visiting Rounds & Patrols going these more 
than ordinary ; from watching through the night Men towards 
morning grow drowsy and careless and are more likely to sur- 
prize. An Officer's reputation calls upon him to guard care- 
fully against this Evil. A guard is bound to maintain its posts as 
long as possible, but if likely to be overpowered by numbers, it is 
at least to make a Skirmishing retreat, firing all the way it goes to 
give the alarm, taking advantage of Every Defile, morass, wood or 
advantageous spot it can find to delay the Enerny. If the Enemy 
does not pursue but retire after dislodged, the guard is to resume 
its posts, first taking measure to be sure all is safe. If two 
Guards are so posted as to have the same Object in view and 
depend upon each other, they must be attentive to every thing 
that befalls one another & act in concert if either is attacked; 
the other must not only put itself in a posture of defence but must 
keep patrols constantly going to bring intelligence of what is doing. 
If the one attacked retreats the other must also. If it returns 
the other must return. All these things however to depend upon 
Circumstances and the orders of the Brigadier & Field Officers 
of the Day. Any Party of whatsoever kind coming towards an 
Outguard are to be stop'd by the Out Sentries and Notice given 
to the Guard, which is in most cases to turn out & the Officer to 
Send a proper person to examine such party & give his orders 
accordingly. All Flags to be stopped at the Out-Sentries. The 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 355 

Officer of the Guard is to meet them there and to know their 
business. If they are Charged with Letters or any matter that 
can be Communicated to him he is to receive and transmit them 
immediately to the Major Gen' I of the day, otherwise the Flag 
must wait till Information can be sent to the said Major General, 
and his order received. No Officer or Soldier is to Sleep one 
Moment on Guard ; no Cooking to go on while on Guard ; the 
Men must either carry their provisions ready cook'd or have it 
sent to them — the former preferable. No Man to presume to be 
out of call without permission from the Officer, who is not to 
suffer more than two to be absent at a time, nor these at an Out- 
post. In Case of desertion from the out-posts the Officer from 
whose party it happens is immediately to Change the Counter- 
sign, advertising the other out-guards of it, who are to conform 
thereto. He is therefore to Send immediately to inform the 
Brigadier of the day of it. All Guards to turn out to the Briga- 
dier & Field Officers of the day, and except the Out-guards, to 
turn out to all General Officers, paying them the honors due 
them according to their rank & usage of War. The out-guards 
to turn out to the Brigadiers & Field Officers of day only, the 
honours of the drum never to be paid by them ; all guards to 
turn out to the Grand Rounds, the officer of each to prepare an 
Evening report to the Officer of the Rounds; all Guards of the 
Line when reliev'd to make a report of every occurrence that 
may have happen' d to one of the Field Officers, who is to attend 
at or near the Grand Parade to receive it when the Guard re- 
turns. Arms after this wet weather to be carefully inspected 
and put in the best order. 



Camp M. Brook, June 13th, 1777. 
Reg'l Orders. 

An immediate return of the Strength^of each Company now 
in Camp to be made to the Quarter Master that the tents may be 
Proportion'd — at the same time a return of Cloaths wanting will 
be expected ; care to be observed by the Commanding Officer of 
each Company that there are none drawn but those who are 
really in want as they must sign the Returns & will be answera- 



356 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

ble for every article rec'd. The Orderly Sergeants must ex- 
amine the Tents of their respective Companies & if any Straw 
shou'd be wanting they will mention it when they deliver their 
returns. The Quarter-Master has one Day's provisions on hand 
which must be drawn & cook'd up immediately. 

W[illiam] H[eth.] 



Head Quarters, Middle Brook, 

June 17th, 1777. 
G. O. Parole. C. Sign. 

Major General for to-morrow, Stephens. ^^ Brigadier- 
General for to-morrow, Maxwell.*' Field Officers, Col. Arendtt" 
& Major Morrell.^' Brigade Major, Swain. 

At a General Court Martial held the 9th inst. whereof Col. 
Marshall was President, Capt. Jesse Roe*® was tried for insulting 
& ill-treating Mr. Colclough, Conductor of Wagons, on the March 
from Morristown. Acquitted and Justified by the Court. The 
General approves the sentence and orders Capt. Roe to be re- 
leas'd from his Arrest with Honour; he also approves the Sen- 
tence of the said Court Martial held the nth Inst, before which 
Alex'r Brandon of the ist Pennsylvania Regiment was tried 
for horse Stealing & acquited ; the prisoner to be immediately 
released from his Confinement. Different Modes of promotion 
having prevail' d in the Army conductive of Confusion & Discon- 
tent in many Instances, the Commander-in-Chief thinks it neces- 
sary to establish the following General Rules to prevent all further 
disputes and inconveniences on this head, all Commissioned Offi- 
cers to rise regimentally according to Seniority until they arrive 



^^ Adam Stephen. 

=HVilliam Maxwell. 

=* Baron d'Arendt, a colonel in the Continental service, appointed 
March 19, 1777, to the command of the German battalion; superseded 
Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Smith in the command of Fort Mifflin in 
October, 1777, but from illness was compelled soon to relinquish it to 
Colonel Smith. 

^^ Major Thomas Morrell of the Fourth New Jersey battalion. 

^•^ Jesse Roe appointed February 3, 1777, captain of the artillery artifi- 
cers of Colonel Benjamin Flower's Pennsylvania regiment. 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 357 

to the rank of Captain and from that in the Line of the State 
they belong to by seniority also till they attain the rank of Colo- 
nel. This Rule, however, to admit of Exceptions where par- 
ticular Officers sig'nalize themselves by Conduct of extraordi- 
nary merit or where others prove themselves unworthy of pre- 
V ferment by the want or neglect of cultivating any qualification 
requisite to Constitute the good officer. Ten Men fit for the 
purpose from each Brigade to parade this Evening at 6 o'clock 
at Col. Biddle's Quarters to form a Company of Pioneers. He 
is to provide them with a sufficient number of proper Officers & 
every thing necessary to qualify them for doing their Duty im- 
mediately. 

In case of March of the Army they are to Encamp near his 
Quarters. The following men : Thomas Backus, Samuel Brown, 
Joseph Catlett, Isaac Green, Charles Cleer, Labor Camber, Wil- 
liam Caldwell, Joseph Gadington & William Thomas belonging 
to Captain Wattel's Company having been sent to Camp some 
time ago and annext to some of the Corps. The Officer Com- 
manding the Corps in which these Men or any of them are now 
doing duty are Desir'd to send a Return of them to the Adju- 
tant General to-morrow Morning. 



Head Quarters, 13th June, 1777. 
After Orders. 

Such Rifles as belong to the States in the different Brigades 
to be immediately Exchang'd with Col. Morgan for Muskets. 
General Officers Commanding Brigades are desir'd to pay atten- 
tion to this matter as the nature of this matter requires the 
utmost dispatch. If a sufficient number of rifles, publick prop- 
erty are not to be procured, the Brigadiers are requested to 
assist Colonel Morgan Either by Exchanging those that are pri- 
vate property or by purchasing them. 

N. B. Those Brigades who have not furnish' d Col. Morgan 
with the number of Men return'd to the Adjutant General are 
desir'd to send them immediately. 



358 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

Camp M. Brook, June 13th, 1777. 
Brigade Orders. 

Major Gen'l Stephens has been pleased to order that there 
be a Field day of his Division on Sunday at 2 o'clock in the After- 
noon. The General hopes that every Officer will make a point 
of having his Men in the best order upon this occasion both as 
to their Cloaths & Arms, & that every Non Commission' d 
Officer & private Soldier will consider his own Reputation as 
well as that of the Brigade to be concern' d in his Conduct upon 
that day, where we shall be probably honoured with the attend- 
ance of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, and all the 
the General Officers in Camp. As there has been permission 
for a General Discharge of Arms yesterday and positive Orders 
to have them well Clean' d, no Excuse will be admitted for those 
who have them in order. 

The Artillery of the Brigade are likewise to prepare every- 
thing for their attendance. The Commanding Officer of Each 
Reg't will have timely Notice where to apply for blank Cart- 
ridges for their Men, 



Head Quarters, 15th June, 1777. 

General Orders. Parole. C. Sign. 

Major General for to-morrow, Sterling."' Brigadier Gene- 
ral for to-morrow, Woodford. Field Officers Col. Spotswood, 
Major Crawford. 

As it is proper the mode of performing & receiving the 
Grand Rounds be the same throughout the Army as well for the 
Sake of Security as uniformity and order. In future the follow- 
ing is that which is to be pursued. The Field Officer of the 
Grand Rounds before he begins his visits to procure such an 
Escort as he Chuses not exceeding a Serg't and Six [men], 
accompanied by these he is to pass all Sentries remote from the 
Guards by his Serg't who is to advance for the purpose answer- 
ing Grand Rounds when hail'd & giving the Countersign when 
he arrives near the Guard the Sentry next to it hails, and upon 



"William Alexander, Lord Stirling. 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR AVILLIAM HETH. 359 

being answer' d ''Grand Roicnds^ Cries "Stand Grand Rounds " 
and call the Guard to turn out. When this is done the Officer 
of the Guard sends a Commission'd officer (if the Guard consists 
of more than one) if not a Serg't and six to meet the Rounds, 
who when arriv'd within twelve paces of them Challenges & 
on being answer'd "Grand Rounds" Cries "Advance Officer 
with the Parole," at the same time making his Party open a 
passage by wheeling backward from the Centre, for the Officer 
of the Rounds to pass through them and resting their Firelocks 
as he passes, the Officer or Serg't conducts him to the Officer of 
the Guard who receives him at the right of his Guard with his 
Bayonet towards his Breast at which time the Officer of the 
Rounds whispers the parole in his Ear, the Officer of the Guard 
finding the Parole true, orders his Guard to rest their Firelocks 
upon which the Officer of the Rounds goes along the front of 
the Guard and alter Counting them, asking such Questions and 
giving such Instructions as he thinks proper. Complaints having 
been made to the Commander-in-Chief that some Officers fond 
of any pretext to get out of the way of their duty Obtrude 
themselves upon the Hospital without answering any useful End 
but rather striving to Embarress & take up the room that might 
be better employ'd. He orders that not more than one Officer 
attend any Hospital unless from application of one of the Direc- 
tors or Physicians and Surgeons General of the Army and that 
Officer to be a discreet, sensible Man, whose business shall be to 
observe the treatment of the Sick & report any neglect or mis- 
management he may discover. He is also to assist in supporting 
good order among the Soldiers but is to Exercise no Authority 
inconsistent with that perfect Controul the Doctors shou'd have 
over their Patients. All Supernumerary Officers immediately to 
repair to their respective Corps. 



Camp at Middle Brook, June 15th, 1777. 

Brigade Orders. 

The several Regiments to draw provision immediately to 
compleat their ?vlen to three days exclusive of this, which is to be 
Cook'd agreeable to General Orders ; and the Commanding 



360 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

Officer of the Reg'ts will see that this is continued without the 
order being repeated, so that the Brigade may be always three 
days before hand with cook'd provision. The Regiments will 
be attended on Wednesday and friday Mornings by their Chap- 
lains on their own regimental parades. The seventh Reg't hav- 
ing no Chaplain will join with the 15th Reg't and on Sunday the 
whole to attend on the right of the Brigade as usual & the Chap- 
lains to take it by turn to preach. 



Camp Middle Brook, June i6th, 1777. 

General Orders. 

Major General for to-morrow Stephens. Brigadier Gene- 
ral for to-morrow Conway. Field Officers Col. Wood^^ & Major 
Beauford.^^ Brigade Major, Tarling. 

The General Court Martial held on the 13th Inst, having 
reconsider' d their proceedings of the 3d and being still of their 
former opinion for acquitting Lieut. Myers of the German Bat- 
tallion. The General directs that he be acquitted & releas'd 
from the Guard. 

The Commanding Officer nearest any Hospital is to furnish a 
prudent, good Officer to assist in the Governmentry so far as 
relates to the keeping of the Continental Soldiers in order, hav- 
ing proper Guards and the like, And to see that Justice is done 
the Sick, reporting any neglect or abuse they may observe ; first 
to the Chief Director of the Hospital, and then, if not reme- 

^^ James Wood, son of Colonel James Wood, founder of Winchester, 
Virginia; member of the Virginia Convention of June, 1776, from 
Frederick county; appointed colonel November 15, 1776; Governor of 
Virginia in 1796; died in Richmond, Virginia, June 16, 1813. Wood 
county, Virginia, was named in his honor. 

^''' Abraham Buford, promoted colonel and assigned to the command 
of Morgan's Eleventh Virginia regiment. May 16, 177S ; May 29, 1780, 
his command was surprised and massacred by _olonel Tarleton at 
Waxhavv creek ; died in Scott county, Kentucky, June 29, 1833 ; received 
8,611 acres of land as bounty from the State of Virginia for seven years 
and ten months' service. 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 361 

died, to the Commanding Officer of the Post from which he was 
sent, who, if he thinks the representations just, to communicate 
them to the Commander-in-Chief. 

The Army not to omit exercising every day, as heretofore 
practiced ; a thing so essential is never to be neglected, unless 
in such Circumstances as render it impossible. 

All parties whatsoever from thirty upwards march'g under 
Arms to march by Sub. or Grand Divisions unless when the 
nature of the Ground, or any particular disposition makes a dif- 
ferent mode necessary. The Officers to be very attentive that 
their Men keep their ranks always dressed, & use their feet in 
Concert which are equally Conducive to the Order, Beauty, 
Strength & expedition of a marching Body. 

For the sake of regularity till a more eligible mode shall be 
pointed out. Officers are to salute in the following manner only— 
For a Standing Salute they are to order their fuzees and take 
off their Hats gracefully, bringing the Arm down closely to the 
left Side, untill the person saluted passes. For a marching Sa- 
lute they are to trail their fuzees & take off their hats as in the 
foregoing, in both cases it is supposed they have their Fuzees 
rested on their left Arm, from which they perform the order or 
trail the first in three, & the last in two Motions and after- 
wards return their Fuzees to the same Position— In the order 
they hold out their Fuzees in a Line with themselves with an 
easy extended Arm. 

All regimental paymasters are desir'd immediately to join 
their respective Corps or they may depend on being punish' d & 
displac'd. No Excuse but Sickness & that properly certified 
will be admitted for eluding this order. No Regimental Pay- 
master in future to absent himself from Camp on any pretence 
whatever without leave from the Commander-in Chief 



Head Quarters, June 17th, 1777. 

G. O. Paro/e. C. Sigji. 

Major General for to-morrow, Greene. Brigadier General 
for to-morrow, Maxwell. Field Officers, Col. .McClanahan & 



362 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

Lt. Col. Barber.^" Do. for Baggage Guard, Lt. Col. Pray. 
For Brigadier Major, Weatherspoon. 

The Surgeon General is to give papers to all persons in his 
Department. 

Two Officers from those Regiments who have Sick in the 
Hospital nigh Camp to attend the Same for the purpose pointed 
out in the Order of Yesterday. A Orderly Serg't to be appoin- 
ted to Each Company to take a List every Morning of the Sick 
belonging to it & report them to the regimental Officer of the 
day, who is to make a General Report to the Sergeon of the 
Regiment. The Orderly Serg'ts to attend the Surgeon, distri- 
bute the medicines & do every thing necessary according to his 
Orders. A proportionate Number of Women to the Sick of 
Each regim't to be Sent to the Hospital at Mendham & Black 
River, to attend the Sick as Nurses. 

When Ever prisoners are sent to the Provost the Evidence 
against them to be inserted in the Charge which will save much 
unnecessary trouble & delay. 

The General Court Martial whereof Col. Marshall was Presi- 
dent is dissolved & another General Court Martial to sit to-mor- 
row morning 9 O'clock at the usual place (Gen'l Waynes' 
Brigade) to try such prisoners as shall be brought before them — 
all evidences to attend. Colonel Stephens is appointed President 
of the Court. 



Head Ouarters, June i8th, 1777. 
G. O. 

Timothy Pickering, Esq're is appointed Adjutant General 
to the Continental Army. He is to be obeyed & respected as 



*" Francis Barber appointed major third New Jersey battalion February 
9, 1776 ; promoted lieutenant colonel of the second establishment, 
November 28, 1776; lieutenant-colonel Third New Jersey regiment froin 
June I, 1777; and commandant to January 6, 1783; killed by the falling 
of a tree in camp at New Windsor, New York February 11, 1783 ; served 
as sub-inspector on the staff of General Steuben April i, 1778; adjutant- 
general to Lord Stirling; aid to General Sullivan; deputy adjutant- 
general to General Green ; severally wounded at the battles of Men- 
mouth, and wounded at the battles of Newtown and at the seige of 
Yorktown. 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 363 

such. The General begs Col. Connor to accept this Thanks for 
his Obliging & punctual discharge of the Office for the Time he 
acted in it. 



Head Quar's M. Brook, June 19th, 1777. 
G. O. 

Major Gen'l for to-morrow, Stephens. Brigadier General 
for to-morrow, Woodford. Field Officers, Col. Malmadie and 
Major Heth. Brigade Maj'r, Tarling. 

The Quarter Master of each Reg' t is to draw provision for 
such sick as remain with the regim't for which purpose they are 
to be included and their Numbers ascertained in each Provision 
Return the Commissary will supply them with fresh meat when 
on hand. 

The General Court Martial now Sitting will proceed forthwith 
to the Trial of Major Peers, Brigade Major to General Weedon, 
arrested by order of Colonel Spotswood for refusing a true & 
just return of his Regiment, and sending him an insulting mes- 
sage by his Adjutant, all Witnesses to attend. 



Camp Middle Brook, June 20th, 1777. 
Gen'l Orders. 

Major General for to-morrow, Green. Brigadier- General 
for to-morrow, Conway. Field Officers. Col. Dayton ''^ and 
Major Davis. Brigade Major, Witherspoon. 

General Wayne's Brigade is to practise with actual firing this 
afternoon at 4 o'C. Each Captain or Commanding Officer of a 
Company is to make out an immediate Sign'd Roll of his Com- 
pany according to which his Men are ever to be drawn up & 
when formed in two Ranks, the shortest Men are ever to be 
plac'd in the front, by which means the firing will be rendered 
rapid & the effect more certain. The Commander-in-Chief ap- 
proves the following Sentences of a General Court Martial, held 
the i8th & 19th Inst's, when Col. Stevens®' was President, & 



^^ Colonel Elias Dayton, of New Jersey ; promoted brigadier-general. 

^^ Colonel Ebenzer Stevens of the New York artillery regiment. 



364 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

orders them to be put in execution forthwith, viz : William Butler 
of Col. Thos. Hartley's"' Reg't & Capt. Wm. Nichol's Com- 
pany, charg'd with desertion & forging paper, found guilty of the 
charge & sentenced to receive one Hundred lashes on his bare 
back. Rich'd Henley of the 7th Pen' a Reg't charg'd with 
desertion, found guilty of the charge & sentenced to receive 100 
lashes on his Bare back, well laid on. Alex'r McDonald of the 
6th Penn'a reg't, charg'd with desertion, found guilty and sen- 
tenced to receive 100 lashes on his bare back, & to be sent on 
board one of the Continental frigates to serve during the War. 
Lieut. Booker of the loth Va. Reg't charged with attending the 
Parade drunk, found guilty of the charge & sentenced to be rep- 
remanded by the Colo, of the Reg't he belongs to in the presence 
of the Officers. 

Ensign Pope of the loth Pa. Reg't charg'd with not attending 
his duty on parade acquitted & ordered to be forthwith dis- 
charged from his arrest. 

John Rawling of Colo. Patterson's reg't Charg'd with desert- 
ing & going to the Enemy found guilty of deserting & Sentenc'd 
to receive 100 lashes on his bare back & to be sent on board one 
of the Continental Frigates & to serve during the term of his 
enlistment. 

Michael Reynolds of the 5th Pen's Reg't charg'd for desert- 
ing towards the Enemy found guily and sentenc'd to rec'e 100 
lashes on his bare back, well laid on & to be sent on board one 
of the Continental Frigates to Serve during the term of his 
enlistment. 

William Pannell of Capt. Govan's Com'd in the 4th Pens' a 
Reg't charg'd with deserting from his reg't and endeavoring to 
go to the Enemy, found guilty and sentenc'd to rec'e 100 lashes 
on his bare back. 

Alex'r McDonald, John Rawling & Michael Reynolds who 
are sentenc'd to be put on board some of the Continental Frig- 
ates, are after rec'g their punishments still to be detain' d pris- 
oners by the Provost Martial till further Orders. 

*^ Colonel Thomas Hartley, born near Reading, Pennsylvania, Sep- 
tember 7, 1748 ; removed to York in 1766 and admitted to the bar July 
25, 1769; appointed lieutenant-colonel Sixth Pennsylvania battalion 
January 10, 1776; colonel, January ir, 1777, of the Eleventh Pennsylva- 
nia ; died at York, Pennsylvania, December 21, 1800. 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 365 

B. Orders. 

A Court Martial to sit this morning- for the trial of all the 
prisoners in the Quarter Guard. The Officer of that Guard is 
desir'd to make his report regularly to the General after he is 
releav'd, that he keeps his guard from stragling and that he does 
not leave it himself upon any pretence but to be always ready to 
turn out to any Gen'l Officer that may happen to pass that way. 



Camp Middle Brook, June 21, 1777. 

General Orders. 

Major General for to-morrow Lord Stirling. Brigadier 
General for to-morrow Muhlenburg. Field Officers Colo. Mar- 
tin & Lt. Col. D'Hart.^* Brigade Major, Day.*'* 

Colo. Shelburn's Detachment at present w'th Gen'l Parsons^* 
is to Join Gen'l Varnum's*" Brigade. Gen'l De Borre's Brigade 
to get ready to march to-morrow morning at 5 O'C. — he will 
send to the Adj't Gen'l for orders to march. Gen'l Varnum's 
Brigade to relieve the picquets at Whannest's Mill & Vanvartin's 
Bridge at 4 O'C. 

D. Orders. 

The Reg't Quarter Master with the Camp-le-Men to pre- 
serve Neets fut & to make an Oil for the Musket Locks of the 
Corps. The Officers Commanding Companies will take notice 
that no excuse will be admitted for not having the Arms in the 
best order. They will be arrested & prosecuted with all the 
vigour which the regulation of the Army will admit. 



^'William D'Hart, appointed major of First New Jersey Battalion of 
First Establishment, November 7, 1775 ; major First Battalion of Sec- 
ond Establishment, November 28, 1776 ; promoted lieutenant-colonel 
January i, 1777; lieutenant-colonel of Second Battalion, September 
26, 1780; resigned. 

^^ Benjamin Day, adjutant Second Virginia regiment; after the war 
practiced law in Fredericksburg, Virginia; Grand Master of the Grand 
Lodge of Masons of Virginia, 1797-1800 ; died 1821. 

®^ Samuel Holden Parsons promoted major-General. 

*' James Mitchell Varnum. 



366 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

The Division will have a field day as soon as the Arms are in 
Order & the Men have two or three times practis'd the Manoeu- 
vres to be performed that day. Officer hopes to find them in 
the best Order & ammunition complete. 

William Heth, Major. 



June 23d, 1777. 
Genl. Orders. 

Major Gen'l for to-morrow, Green. Brigadier General for 
to-morrow, Weedon. Field Officers, Col'o Lewis^^ & Major 
Nicholas.®' Brigade Major, Peers. 

The Commander-in-Chief approves the following Sentences of 
a Gen'l Court Martial held the 20th Inst, whereof Col'o Stephens 
was president & orders them to be put in Execution forthwith, 
vizt. 

Thos. White, otherwise call'd Thos. Jones of Col'o Hartley's 
Batt'n Charg'd with desertion. The Prisoners pleaded guilty & 
was Sentenc'd to receive fifty lashes on his bare back. Alex'r 
Gray of the 5th P. Reg't Charg'd with Desertion found guilty 
& Sentenc'd to receive fifty lashes on his bare back. Levi 
Bloxam of the 9th Virg'a Reg't Charg'd with Insolence to & 
threatening to Shoot Ensign Robbins [John Robins] of the same 
Reg't found guilty & Sentenc'd to rec'e thirty Nine lashes on 
his Bare back. James McCurle of the 5th P. Reg't charg'd with 
insulting & charging his Bayonet on the Officer of the Ferry 
Guard at Trent Town, and presenting his piece at Lieut. Smith 
of 5th P. Reg't in the face of the whole Reg't, found guilty & 
Sentenc'd to receive 100 Lashes on his bare back. 

William McCurl of the 5th P. Reg't charg'd with insulting & 
Charging his Bayonet on the Officers of the ferry guard at Trent 
Town, no Evidence appearing to Support the Charge ag't the 
Prisoner the Court ordered him to be discharg'd from confine- 
ment for the present. 



*^ Colonel William Lewis of the New Jersey militia, from Burling- 
ton county. The New Jersey State line rendered important service in 
the various sanguinary engagements in New York, Pennsylvania and 
New Jersey, their value being attested by the commander-in-chief. 

*' Major George Nicholas, commandant of Company No. 2, Second 
Virginia regiment. 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 367 

The following letter rec'd from Col'o Spotswood : 

Middle Brook, June 23d, 1777. 
Sir : 

Although the Court Martial acquitted Major Peers w'th 
Honor yet, I think Something remains to be done on my Side for 
the Injury done that Gentleman. You'll therefore oblige me by 
putting the Enclosed concession in the next Gen'l Orders. 

Y'r Ob' t Servant, 

Alex'r Spotswood Col'o. 

Col'o Spotswood being Convinc'd that he was wrong in putting 
Major Peers under arrest is Extremely sorry for it. 

To Colonel Pickering. 



After Orders: 

The Militia of the State of New Jersey assembled upon the 
late Alarm by Signal are dismissed with the Cordial thanks of 
the Commander-in-Chief for the readiness w'th w'ch they have 
turn'd out, & the Spirit & braver}'- they have shown in harrassing 
the Enemy, & preventing their incursion, such manly Exertions 
in the Militia prove highly discouraging to the Enemy and while 
the Same Spirit remains, as Danger is to be apprehended from 
future attempts. 

After Orders. 

The rain having prevented the Execution of part of the 
after Orders of Yesterday — Every Brigade & Corps of the Army 
is to parade to-morrow morning at 4 O'C if it sh'd not rain — those 
after orders in other respects to be punctually comply'd with. 

G. O. 

In case of an Alarm the Army is to be drawn up in two 
Lines on the Northern Side of the Brooke, Gen'l Green's Division 
on the right, Gen'l Lincoln's on the left of the Front Line, Gen'l 
Stephen's Division on the right of the 2d Line, & Brigadier 
Gen'l Parson's Brigade on the left of the 2d Line — to be join'd 
by Gen'l Varnum when he comes up. The Troops to make best 
Shelter they can w'th boughs of Trees — Each Division to furnish 
I S. 2 S. 2 C. 25 P. for Picquet to Parade forthwith near the 



368 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

Bridge. An AUarm will be made by the firing of two Field 
pieces at the park of Artillery, upon which the whole Army is 
to muster & take the ground Shewn to the Brig'r General with 
all possible dispatch. The Park of Artillery to form in the Cen- 
ter of the ist Line. 



Camp Q. Town, 25th June. 
Brigade Orders. 

A Brigade Court Martial to sit immediately for trial of all 
the Prisoners in the Quarter Guard, all Evidences to attend. 
A Capt. from the 7th Reg't President. 



f 2 Sub's from nth Reg't. 
Members -l i Do from 7th Do. 
(^ I Do from 15th Do. 



Head Quarters Q. Town, June 25th, 1777. 
G. Orders. 

Major General for to morrow — Stephen. Brigadier Gene- 
ral for to-morrow — Woodford. Field Officers Lt. Colo. Sayers, 
Major Hays. Brigade Major, Swaine. 

The Picquets to be relieved this day at 10 O'C A. M. To- 
morrow at 6 O'C, the usual Hour. Whenever any firing or 
anything Else unusual in the Camp is permitted by the Major 
Gen'l of the Day, he is immediately to report it to the Com- 
mander-in-Chief — to prevent any unnecessary inquiries into the 
Cause of it. The Officers are always to take the most particular 
care that no damage be where the Troops are encamped. The 
inevitable distresses of War are so great and numerous that any 
addition to them must be deem'd to proceed from barbarity & 
wantoness alone — more especially on us, by whom that property 
was design' d, and ought to be protected. 

D. Orders. 

The Cartridges which are too Small or have too little 
Powder, or are damag'd to be return'd to the Commissary of 
Stores, and they will be exchang'd for what will Suit their different 
Arms. — by order of Gen'l Knox.'" 

'"General Henry Knox. 



.S,' 



t 



f.> 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 369 

Camp Quibble Town, 25th June. 

Regimental Orders. 

The Commanding Officer is sorry he is Oblig'd to report 
the Orders of the 30th May — viz't, " No Officer, Non Commision'd 
Officer, or Soldier to absent themselves from the Reg't without 
leave from the Commanding Officer of the Reg't, with the addi- 
tion that whoever disobeys them hereafter may expect to be 
call'd to an Acc't. He is well persuaded every officer acquainted 
with him will not think this severe, or that wants any unneces- 
sary or particular respect paid. He wou'd wish to know the 
time an Officer wanted leave, and where he might be sent for in 
case of Sudden call. It gives him pain that his Duty obliges 
him to point at two Subalterns whose disobedience in this Order, 
they upon reflection must acknowledge, Subject them to an 
Arrest, but from the high opinion he entertains of both these 
Gentlemen as promising Officers, He will take no further notice 
of it, and Sincerely wishes every officer will endeavor to make 
himself so well acquainted with his Duty as not to leave it in 
the power of their Superiors to call them to an Acc't which The 
Discipline & Subordination demand it, yet to an Officer of ten- 
derness & Feeling it will ever give pain. 



Head Quarters Mid. Brook, 

26th June, 1777. 
G. Orders. 

The Troops are to complete 2 days Provision of Bread or 
Flour as Soon as possible & but one days Provision of Flesh 
(if Fresh) or 3 days if Salt, if it is to be had, and hold them- 
selves in readiness to March at a moment's warning. They will 
lodge themselves in the best manner they can this Night near the 
Gaps of the Mountains. From every Gap proper Picquets are 
to be posted, & Patrols Sent out during the Night. The allovv'd 
Quantity of Rum to be drawn for the Men immediately. 



370 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

June 27th, 1777. 
Regimental Orders. 

The cadets Isaac Davis, James Dowdale & John Heth " 
are in future to do duty when it comes to their turn in the Com- 
panies they belong to. The Officers and Sg'ts are desir'd to 
make themselves acquainted with the Signals of the Drum given 
at yesterday. At Revelie Beating, Officers of the different com- 
panies are to form them, and Join Such Other Companies as they 
please So as to have Musick to each when they will practice 
Wheeling, forming & Marching, taking every pains in their 
power to instruct them in this necessary part of discipline. It 
is expected those Officers best acquainted with Manoueveres will 
be very active and that the others (who are by far the greatest 
Number) will never Miss any opportunity of improving; as nothing 
can be more disagreeable than for any Officer commanding the 
Reg't in manoeuvring to be under the necessity of reproving by 
Name any Officer for his Extraordinary Ignorance. 

W. H. 



Head Quarters Middle Brook, 27th June, 1777. 

G. Orders. 

Major Gen'l to-morrow Lincoln. Brigadier Weedon. 
Field Officers — Colo. Chambers" & Major Rush. Brigade 
Major, Day. 



"John Heth, a younger brother of Colonel William Heth, born 
1760 ; promoted lieutenant and ensign Second Virginia regiment in 
1781, and received as bounty from the State of Virginia 3,036^^ acres 
of land ; member of the Virginia Society of the Society of Cincinnati ; 
appointed March 5, 1792, captain Second United States infantry, com- 
manded by Lieutenant-Colonel H. Gaither, and served in the campaign 
against the Northwestern Indians under General Anthony Wayne; died 
in Richmond, Virginia, November 15, 1810. 

"Lieutenant-Colonel James Chambers, transferred from the Tenth to 
the First Pennsylvania regiment ; retired the service January i, jg.Si ; 
at the battle of Brandy wine he received a Hessian bullet in his sidij, 
which gave him much trouble in after years ; died at London Forge, 
Franklin county, Pennsylvania, April 25, 1805, aged fifty-six years. 




u- 



ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 371 

Commanding Officers of Corps who have Men in the Provost 
Guard ag't whom Sentences have been passed & approved are, 
without delay to see these Sentences executed. It being neces- 
sary to Determine the rank of Colo. Bland" & Colo. Moylan," 
Colonels of Horse, Major General Sullivan, Green, L'd Stirling, 
Stephens & Lincoln were appointed a Court to inquire into the 
Matter, hear the pretensions of the parties and Determine their 
Ranks. The- Court to sit this Afternoon at 6 o'C at Gen'l 
Green's Quarters, any three of them to be a quorum. The 
Commander-in-Chief earnestly desires that General Officers in 
Case of an Action or the appearance of one, will, when practica- 
ble. Send all their orders either in writing or by an Aid-de- 
Camp, or Brigade Major to prevent the unintelligible and Con- 
tradictory directions which are too often convey' d, and may 
prove fatal to the views & designs of the Commanding Officers. 
Intelligence of the Enemies movements & approach, they are 
also requested to communicate in the same manner to the Com- 
mander-in-Chief Officer, otherwise it will be impossible for them 
to make a proper disposition, as the goodness of this must de- 
pend upon the Certainty & precision of the information. All 
officers at out Posts are to govern themselves by this order So 
far as it will apply in their Case. 

The General directs an immediate Return to be made to the 
Adj't General of the kill'd and wounded and Missing since 
Sunday last inclusive. 

For the future the Commanding Officer of Corps are as soon 
as possible to make an exact return to the Adjutant General of 
all the Kill'd wounded & missing of their respective Corps. 
Specifying the Ranks and Time, when, & Places where such 
Events shall happen. 

Such Commanding Officers of parties are from lime to time to 
make the like exact Returns of all Prisoners they shall take from 
the Enemy and as soon as possible after the Capture. 



"Colonel Theodrick Bland, of Virginia. 

'* Colonel Stephen Moylan, brevetted brigadier-general, born in Ire- 
land 1734; died at Philadelphia, April 11, 1811. 



372 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

Head Quarters Middle Brook, 28th June, 1777. 
G. Orders. 

Major General for to-morrow, Stephen, Brigadier, Wood- 
ford. Field Officers, Lt. Col. Wilson" & Major Richeson." 
Brigade Major, Peers. 

The Several Reg' ts are to Send for their Tents and pitch them 
where they are Posted, Orderely Serg'ts to attend at Head 
Quarters as usual. All Chaplains are to perform Divine Service 
to Morrow and every Succeeding Sunday with their respective 
Brigades and Regiments where their will possibly admit of it. And 
the Commanding Officers of Corps are to see that they attend 
themselves with Officers of all Ranks Setting the example. The 
Commander-in-Chief expects an exact Obedience in future as an 
invariable rule of practice and Every neglect being consider'd 
not only a breach of Orders but a disregard to Decency, Virtue 
and Religion. 



Camp Middle Brook, June 29th, 1777. 
Brigade Orders. 

In future each Reg't is to mount a Quarter Guard suffi- 
cient for its use. Convenience, independent of that which is daily 
furnish' d for the Brigade. 



Head Quarters Middle Brook, June 29th. 
G. Orders. 

Major General for to-morrow, Green. Brigadier, Mulen 
burg. Field Officers Col'o Spotswood L't Col. Febiger. 

The Quarter-Master General is to make out a proper Distribu 
tion of Waggons among the Brigades & Corps of the Army & in 
proportion to their respective Members, to ascertain which they 
will apply to the Adjutant General. 

'^John Neilson colonel New Jersey mounted men; colonel Second 
regiment, August i, 1776 ; brigadier general State militia, February 2T/ 
1777 ; also deputy quarter master general. 

'^ Holt Richeson of King William county, received 6000 acres from 
the State of Virginia, February 17, 1784, for three years service in the 
Continental establishment; member of tlie Virginia Convention of X788. 



i 



/ 




orderly book of major william heth. 373 

Head Quarters Middle Brook, 

30th June, 1777. 
G. Orders. 

Major General for to-morrow, Sullivan." Brigadier, De 
Borres. Field Officers, Col. Matthews'* and Lt. Col. Willis. 
Brigade Major, Mullens. 

A Special Court Martial to sit to-morrow morning at 9 O'C. 
at the usual place near Gen'l Wayne's Quarters for the trial of 
Major Stewart of the 2nd Mary'd Reg't. Colo. David Hall is 
appointed President of this Court — all Witnesses to attend. 

All Commanding Officers who have in their Reg'ts any Non- 
Commission' d Officers or Soldiers that were originally enlisted 
into the Reg't lately commanded by Col. Smallwood " to deliver 
them to Colo. Stone,*" who now commands that same Reg't 
UDon his making it appear they were so inlisted. 

A Large Horseman's Tent mark'd I H Stone ist Maryland 
Reg't together with some common Tents were taken from one 
Waggon on the late march from Quibble Town & put into 
another. Whoever has them is to send them to Colo. Stone with- 
out delay. 



"John Sullivan. 

'^George Mathews appointed lieutenant colonel of the Ninth Virginia 
regiment January 12, 1776; promoted colonel; born Augusta county 
Virginia in 1739; led a volunteer company against the Indians at the 
age of twenty-two ; distinguished himself at the battle of Point Pleas- 
ants October 10, 1774; removed to Oglethorpe county Georgia in 1785 ; 
Governor of Georgia, 1780, i793-'6; member of Congress, i789-'9i ; 
afterwards brigadier-general of militia ; died at Augusta, Georgia, 
August 30, 181 2. 

'^William Smallwood, promoted major-general. 

'^"John Haskins Stone, early in the war a captain in Smallwood's reg- 
\ iment; made colonel, December, 1776; resigned August i, 1779; dis- 
\ tinguished himself at the battles of Long Island, White Plams, Prince- 
,ton and Germantown, in the last of which he received a wound which 
isjisabled him from further service. In 1781 he became a clerk in the 
office of R. R. Livingston, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and subse- 
quently a member of the Executive Council of Maryland ; Governor 
of Maryland i794-'97; died at Annapolis, October 5, 1804. 



374 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

30th June, 1777. 
Brigade Orders. 

When the weather clears up, the Arms of the whole Brig- 
ade to be put in the best order, the locks well oil'd, and any 
deficiency in ammunition to he immediately completed. When 
oil is wanted The Commanding Officer of Reg'ts are to see that 
Neets feet^^ are Boil'd up for that purpose without delay. His 
Excellency the Commander-in-Chief Complains that the Gen'l 
Orders Given respecting the Troops being always provided with 
Three day's provisions on hand has Either through the Negli- 
gence of Officers or carelessness of Commissaries not being 
Strictly comply' d with. The Commanding Officers of each 
Corps will carefully attend for the future that no part of this 
breach of Publick Orders may be Justly charg'd to this Brigade. 
They will please to Represent to their Brigadier in Writing 
what kind of Provisions the Commissary is deficient in that he 
may be able immediately to report the Same that the blame may 
fall upon the proper person. Major Gen'l Stephen could not 
help expressing his Concern the last evening at Seeing so (ew 
Officers attending the Parade at Retreat Beating. It is not only 
expected that Every Capt. & Subaltern off Duty Should attend 
to See their Rolls call'd, their Arms and Ammunition examin'd, 
their Men Warn'd for Duty & all Absentees accounted for, but it is 
likewise hop'd the Field Officers will attend to See this very 
necessary piece of Duty purform'd. Their presence cannot fail of 
giving authority to the Inferior Officers & Setting that good 
Example that will produce the most happy effect. As this Brig- 
ade will probably be the next Detach' d the General hopes Every 
thing will be ready to move at the Shortest Notice. 



30th June, 1777. 
Reg'l Orders. 

The Commanding Officers of the Different Companies are 
required to peruse the General Division & Brigade Orders for/ 
many Days back to prevent their being repeated, and Officer,*' 
from being reflected upon. The Colonel & Major's Orderly 

-/- 

®^Neat's-foot oil, obtained by boiling calves' feet. ' 




ORDERLY BOOK OF MAJOR WILLIAM HETH. 375 

Book are at the service of the Officers 'till Books can be procur'd 
for Each Comp'y. In the meantime the Major insists upon an 
immediate compliance w'th the Orders of the 9th, 20th & 21st 
Inst., as he would Consider it as Some reflection upon him Self 
if Major Gen'l Stephens should have sufficient reason for putting 
the last order referred to in execution. Indeed, he is much Sur- 
priz'd that many Officers have not discover'd a greater inclina- 
tion to improve themselves by reading the Gen'l Orders 
frequently & with attention as there are many of them replete 
with Military instructions, to say nothing of the Orders which 
Every Officer is in a greater or lesser degree indispensably bound 
to execute. 



July ist, 1777. 
Brigade Orders. 

A Court Martial to sit this Morning for the Trial of all 
Prisoners in the Quarter Guard. The Rank of the Field Offi- 
cers in the Virginia Line is to be settled to-morrow if any of the 
Gentlemen of this Brigade have other Claims to make than are 
already stated they will give them into the General. He thinks 
it will be necessary that the whole give in the Dates of their 
Commissions or appointments. 



Head-Quarters Middle Brook, 

ist July, '77. 
G. Orders. 

Major General for to-morrow, Stephens. Brigadier, Wee- 
don. Field Officers, Col. McClenahan & Lt. Colo. Mais, Bri- 
gade Major, Peers. 

A General Court Marshal to sit to-morrow morning at 9 o'C 
at the usual place for the Trial of Such Prisoners as Shall be 
brought before them. All Witnesses to attend. Colo. Walter 
Stewart is appointed President of this Court. 

The late Court Martial of which Colo. Stephens was President 
is dissolv'd. Pay Abstracts for the Month of May are to be made 
out immediately & deliv'd to the Pay Master General for Exam- 
ination. 



376 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



011 801 887 4 # 

VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 



The Several Troops & Detachments of Colo. Bland's Light 
Horse are to assemble forthwith at their Colo's Quarters. The 
Colo, will apply to the Quarter Master General to Assign a place 
where the regiment may get forrage to recruit their Horses. 

A Return of the Sick in Camp of the Dififerent Regiments to 
be made to the Surgeon General of the Army Every Tuesday & 
Friday at 3 o'C in the Morning Specifying the Men's Names* 
Disease & the Company they belong to. These Returns to be 
sign'd by the Regimental Surgeon. Jonathan Mifflin, Esq'r, 
8c Henry Emanuel Lutterbock, Esq'r, are appointed Deputy 
Quarter Master Generals for the Army with the rank of Colonel 
and are to be respected & obey'd as such. 

Clement Biddle, Esq'r, is app'd Commissary of Forrage for 
this Army. Notwithstanding the order of June 3rd the Gene- 
ral is informed that many Officers are turning their Horses into 
Fields of Grain & Grasses & giving assurance to the Proprietors 
of them that the damage done shall be paid for by the Quarter 
Master General. When he recollects the orders already given 
and Considers the variety of Distress's under which the inhabi- 
tants of New Jersey are still groaning the General is astonish'd 
to find that neither Duty, Honor nor Humanity even restrain 
officers from so cruel and unlawful a practice. He therefore once 
more & in the most Pointed & Positive terms forbids it, and 
orders that no Horses be turn'd into any field whatsoever without 
license first obtain' d from the Quarter Master General or Some 
Person acting under his authority. After this Second notice any 
Officers offending, upon Complaint being made may rest assur'd 
that they shall not only be answerable for the Damage done but 
brought before a Court Martial for Disobedience of Orders. 



July ist, 1777. 
Regl. Orders. 

That the Commanding Officer of each Company make an 
exact return of what arms and accoutrements are wanting to 
complete his- Men, more especially Tawmahawks, for which but 
too frequent Orders have been given. All Arms slightly dam- 
aged & thereby rendered unfit for use to be brought in * * * 




LIBRARY I 




0011 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



011801887 4 # 



HoUinger 

pH8.5 

Mill Run F3-1719 



